Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Madigan for his first supplementary question. I understand Senator Madigan this morning attended a briefing with departmental officials. I cannot speak on behalf of them but had he directly asked the officials this question I have no doubt they would have answered in the affirmative. For my part, I can say that the Gillard government is committed to an open and transparent process of review of the information that informs biosecurity policy. That is why the report was put out for a 60-day consultation period—so that stakeholders could be advised. I understand that senators and members who attended the briefing earlier today were advised that the department is in the process of considering the 27 submissions on the draft review of provisions for importing potatoes from New Zealand for processing. (Time expired)