Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Trade and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Can the minister confirm that in November 2005 he agreed to the release of three horses imported from France, including one named Reign of Fire, and that this was done outside the normal allowable period determined by AQIS? Minister, did these horses subsequently travel to Sydney and Newcastle race meetings? Can the minister confirm that AQIS was so concerned by the quarantine risk posed by the minister’s decision to release these horses that it established special surveillance arrangements?

Peter McGauran (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. I have an instinctive reaction but the normal caution in a parliamentary setting suggests that I will take the question on notice, and I will provide further advice. But I warn the honourable member for Hotham: don’t jump to any conclusions, and await further notice.