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

This is an issue that I know Senator Milne has been very interested in throughout the entire process. The government has been working, through Mr Bill Kelty, to facilitate the Tasmanian forest statement of principles, signed by the Tasmanian forestry industry bodies and the conservation groups.

This is an issue that Senator Milne is not asking about specifically, but her concerns clearly were raised during a prior period. My understanding is that it goes back prior to this government, to 2005, during the period—to use a broad term; I am happy to be corrected—that the industry assistance package was provided to the forests. Since that time there has also been a subsequent package, a contractors' package, which I think Senator Milne is not specifically asking about.

The audit report relates to the earlier measure. Certainly it is an area where this government continues to ensure that the programs delivered under either the prior government or the current government continue to be monitored to ensure that they provide value for money and maintain those relevant outcomes. In terms of when that report will be made available, Senator Milne, I will take that on notice. I understand you do have an interest in ensuring that report is made available at the earliest possible time. When that can be done, I am sure there will be very little impediment to making that performance audit available through the department, as these things should be.