Terri Butler (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction. I refer to the minister's appointment to administer the Department of Environment and Energy, including all matters and legislation allocated to the department, in the administrative arrangements order made on 29 May. Can the minister confirm a company in which he has an interest, Jam Land Pty Ltd, is now being investigated by his own department in relation to the alleged illegal land clearing of critically endangered grasslands?

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for the question. I have been very clear about this in public. I have no association and have remained at arm's length at all times from the company, Jam Land. In 2017, I received a briefing from departmental officials on technical aspects of a revised listing under the EPBC Act. I make absolutely no apology for seeking and receiving a briefing on policies that seriously impact farmers in my electorate, because I care about farmers in my electorate. It is what the people of Hume expect from me as their local member. The most remarkable fact is that other affected members, such as the member for Eden-Monaro, didn't do the same. I will always stand up for the people of my electorate. I will do the right thing by them at every point in time.