Bob Katter (Kennedy, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for the Environment. Documents sent on 5 March to the government compliance unit in the Federal Police raised questions of most serious irregularities in the use of $20 million for crown-of-thorns starfish eradication. Some three weeks later, 9 April, it was decided that all reef action funding to the bodies in question, GBRMPA, the RRF and AMPTO, was to be terminated. Is the minister aware that one of these paid for a parliamentarian's political advertisement? Further, since starfish are removed for free and for fun, will we be assured a serious public investigation will be undertaken? I emphasise 'public'.

Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Kennedy for his question. It's a good opportunity for us to talk about how this side of the House is dedicated to the health of the reef, so I thank the member for his question. The member for Kennedy knows that there are a number of threats to the reef. The crown-of-thorns starfish is just one of these. There are issues relating to water and issues relating to farm run-off. On this side of the House we are dedicated to the health of the reef. Australians know that we are dedicated to the health of the reef, but, in particular, those 64,000 regional Queenslanders know only too well that we are dedicated to the health of the reef because they rely upon the reef for their jobs. Also, the reef contributes some $6.4 billion to the bottom line of the Australian economy, so we take it seriously. There are a number of threats, and the crown-of-thorns starfish is just one of those threats. But I can assure the member for Kennedy that I'm very, very happy to work with him. Perhaps you and I can have a conversation this afternoon.

Mr Katter interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Has the minister concluded her answer?

Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Kennedy can move a point of order, but as the minister's concluded the answer we're moving on.