Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I have provided a response to questions asked by Senator Milne today about audit reports relating to the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement. As the senator is aware, the Tasmanian Auditor-General has commented on Forestry Tasmania's administration of Commonwealth funding. For further information about this report, which is public, it can be obtained from the Tasmanian Auditor-General.

In addition, my department has commissioned an audit into the administration of the industry development program under the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement. The report is not finalised. It will be made public after its finalisation. I will get back to her with a date on when that is likely to be. My department is also working with the Tasmanian government on an audit of the Intensive Forest Management Program, part of that Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement. This audit has not commenced at this point. If there is a time line in relation to that, I will provide that in addition to those comments.

Can I also indicate there is an additional response to Senator Bob Brown's questions without notice on 15 June 2011 dealing with Tasmanian forestry issues relating to browsing animals. I seek leave to incorporate that into Hansard.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

Additional response to Senator Bob Brown, Question without Notice 15 June 2011

TASMANIAN FORESTRY ISSUES

Browsing Animals

I have consulted with my colleague, the Minister for Sustainability, the Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Hon. Tony Burke MP and submit the following additional information in response to Senator Brown's questions of 15 June 2011.

Forest management on public lands is the constitutional responsibility of states and territories and is primarily subject to the state's regulatory framework.

Specific queries relating to Forestry Tasmania operations in Tasmania forestry coupes should be directed to the Tasmanian Government and relevant state authorities.

Tasmanian Forestry Statement of Principles — Ta Ann supply arrangements

The Government is not a signatory to the Statement of Principles and any questions on about topics of negotiation should be directed to the signatories themselves.

Assistance to Gunns Limited

Following on from Question Time on 15 June, I have been advised that Gunns Limited has made preliminary inquiries with the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation in the Trade Portfolio.

Decisions about the use of EFIC's commercial account are the responsibility of the EFIC Board. Under the EFIC act, the Minister cannot direct EFIC in respect of a particular transaction in the Commercial Account.

Further questions about EFIC should be directed to the Minister for Trade.