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

I thank the senator for the question. I think he has previously asked me, or perhaps it was Senator Williams, about abattoirs. I am advised that Minister Combet has met with a number of industry participants as well as the Australian Meat Industry Council to discuss the meat processing sector and their opportunities under the government's policy package. I am also advised that officials from the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency have visited a number of sites to explain the details of the government's policies, including Bindaree Beef in Inverell and the JBS Australia plant in Dinmore, Queensland.

I understand many meat processors have already investigated opportunities to become more energy efficient and reduce emissions from their sedimentation ponds. Opportunities would include capturing methane from these ponds to generate electricity, which would reduce the need to buy grid electricity and would create renewable energy certificates. Some meat processors will be able to take sufficient actions to fall below the thresholds for direct emissions, which will significantly reduce their exposure to a carbon price.

The senator might also be aware of the government's $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program, which is intended to provide grant funding for investment in equipment and processes to reduce emissions and increase energy efficiency. The government continue to work with the meat processing industry to ensure it achieves the best outcomes throughout this industry, and we are considering some of the issues raised. Regrettably, I think that the senator is probably not interested in the other answer to the question: that he would be aware of what the Treasury modelling shows in terms of not only the increase in jobs but also— (Time expired)