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

My question is again to the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction. I refer to the minister's earlier answers. Did the minister receive a single letter from any constituent about the grasslands listing prior to the meeting with the Department of the Environment and Energy in March 2017?

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

The member is relying on previous answers to ask that question, and the minister has just noted that, in his answers and statement, there is no reference to correspondence. What the member is seeking to have tabled is unanswerable.

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

I just have to say to the Leader of the House that, whilst he may be factually right, that doesn't prevent the question being asked. It's not an identical question. The only problem would be if it were an identical question, and it's not. The minister has the call.

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

Whilst their questions may not be identical, I clearly answered this question in my previous answer. I said in my statement earlier today that, in late 2016 to 2017, I spoke with a series of farmers across my electorate and elsewhere about the concerns they had, and they pointed me to the 2014 submission from the National Farmers' Federation. And I go on in this letter—this letter is important because it captured the concerns of the farmers. It said, 'Based on the information provided, in the NFF's view it is highly unlikely that an individual farmer would be able to assess their responsibilities under the EPBC.' So this is a listing where the farmers were in a situation where they were not able to assess whether efficient pasture improvement and weed management could, indeed, be compliant. That is a very real concern for people who farm, and we understand farming on this side of the House. But I think what those opposite are actually suggesting is that farmers should be named, and there is a very important piece of legislation going in front of this parliament in the coming weeks where there is an opportunity for you to decide whether naming farmers in the face of activism should be permitted.

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

The Leader of the Opposition is seeking to make a point of order, but, as the answer is over, we'll move on.