Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move the following motion:

That the House calls on the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction to immediately make a statement to the House for a period not exceeding 20 minutes explaining:

(1) why he met with Department of the Environment and Energy officials and the office of the then Minister for the Environment and Energy, and now Treasurer, in March 2017 to discuss the listing of a critically endangered grasslands while the department was investigating the alleged poisoning of the same grasslands on land he part-owned;

(2) why, and how, an officer from the compliance unit of the department responsible for the investigation was present at the March 2017 meeting;

(3) why, following the meeting, the office of the then Minister for Environment and Energy asked for advice on whether he could vary the relevant listing without the advice of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee, whether he could act against the Committee's advice and whether he could keep the reasons for the variation secret;

(4) why, despite stating that his interest in Jam Land Pty Ltd was declared in accordance with the rules, he has failed to list his indirect interest in Jam Land Pty Ltd on his Member's Statement of Registrable Interests;

(5) what declarations, if any, the Minister has made to the Department of the Environment and Energy, the office of the then Minister for the Environment and Energy and the Prime Minister about his interest in the land subject to a compliance investigation by the Department of the Environment and Energy; and

(6) how his conduct is consistent with the Statement of Ministerial Standards.

Leave not granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Watson from moving the following motion immediately—That the House calls on the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction to immediately make a statement to the House for a period not exceeding 20 minutes explaining:

(1) why he met with Department of the Environment and Energy officials and the office of the then Minister for the Environment and Energy, and now Treasurer, in March 2017 to discuss the listing of a critically endangered grasslands while the department was investigating the alleged poisoning of the same grasslands on land he part-owned;

(2) why, and how, an officer from the compliance unit of the department responsible for the investigation was present at the March 2017 meeting;

(3) why, following the meeting, the office of the then Minister for Environment and Energy asked for advice on whether he could vary the relevant listing without the advice of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee, whether he could act against the Committee's advice and whether he could keep the reasons for the variation secret;

(4) why, despite stating that his interest in Jam Land Pty Ltd was declared in accordance with the rules, he has failed to list his indirect interest in Jam Land Pty Ltd on his Member's Statement of Registrable Interests;

(5) what declarations, if any, the Minister has made to the Department of the Environment and Energy, the office of the then Minister for the Environment and Energy and the Prime Minister about his interest in the land subject to a compliance investigation by the Department of the Environment and Energy; and

(6) how his conduct is consistent with the Statement of Ministerial Standards.

I bet he loved Butlers before he got to this parliament, but now, under—

Christian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Member be no longer heard.

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

The question is that the Manager of Opposition Business be no further heard.

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

Is the motion seconded?

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

I second the motion. The minister is going to have to come clean eventually. He should just do so now—

Christian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Member be no longer heard.

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

The question is that the member for Griffith be no further heard.

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

The question is that the motion moved by the Manager of Opposition Business be agreed to.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper. On indulgence, as members depart, can I commend and congratulate all the new members who gave their first speeches in the House this week. I particularly extend to the member for Dunkley all the best wishes of the House.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!