Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for the question. I am not aware of the specific piece of evidence to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee to which she refers. I am happy to consider it further if that would assist, but I would make this point: the government and the Clean Energy package it has brought forward has put in place significant assistance for a range of industries, including a significant amount of investment in the land sector. I am sure Senator Ludwig could talk at length about carbon farming and the amount of investments that the government is making into that area of policy. Obviously our vision there is to enable Australia's farmers to have access, should they so wish, to an alternative income stream—

Senator Nash interjecting—

Well, you can toss your head, Senator, but that is our intention because we do believe it is something of value that farmers could access—not just in the domestic markets but, over time, in international markets with carbon farming credits.

In relation to rail, I do not have any specific response on that, Senator—

Senator Nash interjecting—

Thank you for that lecture, Senator, but I do not have any specific response. I would make the point that this government has put a very substantial amount of—

Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—

Perhaps if Senator Macdonald would like to answer the question, he could do so. I would be very interested—