Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, they are. I want to sound a note of caution. I do not want to be too petty in this, but Senator Milne said ‘We know.’ I suppose it might be a fair assumption, a fair hunch, but until Mr Callinan reports I do not want to be trapped or seen as affirming any suggestion about where the equine influenza may have originated from et cetera. That is simply from an overabundance of caution.

Having said that, the Royal Commissions Act, at sections 7A and 7B, clothes royal commissioners or people that are given those powers to undertake inquiries overseas and outside of Australia. So Mr Callinan would have those powers courtesy of the reference to that legislation. I also draw Senator Milne’s attention to proposed section 66AY(1)(a)(ii), which refers to quarantine requirements and practices relating to the outbreak. As I understand it, there is a quarantine protocol which requires testing in a quarantine situation in the country of origin, other than New Zealand, so that would definitely be a requirement in Japan. Therefore, all the matters that Senator Milne has referred to would definitely be within the purview of Mr Callinan’s inquiry.