Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I have not conceded that they are; I said, ‘If they are.’ The opposition believes that in this case it is eminently sensible for provisions to apply that the government has agreed to in respect of similar bodies. The dairy industry is a significant body and one of the bigger industries in this country. If they are prepared to operate under that—and indeed they do—and it has not been an impediment to their operations, why would this be an impediment to the forest industry? I say that it would not be. The forest industry would be quite happy to be open and honest about how they are dealing with the funds that their community gave to them, as they would be in respect of taxpayer funds.

I did say earlier that the leadership the government has provided to this industry on certain matters has been lacking. However, in this regard, it is an easy proposition for the government to say: ‘Yes, we agree. We believe this industry has nothing to hide. We believe this industry will be very happy to have the statutory funding agreement between the minister and the government the subject of appropriate declaration and affirmation by the minister as well as in the tabling of their annual report.’ That is all we ask. One would not think it was much. One would not have thought it imposed a significant burden on the industry or the minister. The minister would simply be doing the job that he or she is paid to do, which is to be accountable to the parliament. That is all we ask.