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 earlier answer claiming that a letter from farm organisations, dated 3 October 2017, proves he was making constituent representations when he sought a meeting with the Department of the Environment and Energy six months prior. How could the minister seek a meeting as a result of a letter that didn't exist until six months later?

Mr Husic interjecting—

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

I have asked the member for Chifley to cease interjecting on a number of occasions already. He has obviously forgotten his warning from last week. He will cease interjecting or he'll cease to be in the chamber. I know last week was a long time ago. The minister has the call.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have already made a comprehensive and detailed statement on this matter, covering exactly this issue, to the House earlier today. In that statement, I made clear that, through discussions with farmers in late 2016 and 2017, they demonstrated deep concerns about the impact of this listing on their farming operations. They pointed me to a National Farmers Federation submission made in 2014, expressing those concerns about the impact of this listing on those farmers. But, let's be clear—

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

If the minister could pause. If people on both sides could stop interjecting. As I've said, I'm trying to listen to the answer. The minister has the call.

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

Let's be clear about what this is about. Those opposite just want to smear farmers and those who represent farmers in this place, because they are completely out of touch with farmers. We saw at the last election those opposite take policies to that election which would mean rolling out the draconian native vegetation state laws in Queensland across Australia and, in the process, undermining the productivity and success of one of the great industries that has been the backbone of this country for so long. I will stand up for farmers every day in this place. That's what we do on this side of the House.