Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Tourism and International Education) Share this | Hansard source

I have spent a lot of time in the chamber and I look forward to the opportunity. The allocation of responsibilities for water across the two portfolios is clearly laid out in the ministerial orders that have been provided by the government through the Governor-General. Within the actual agricultural portfolio, there are still negotiations being conducted between Minister Joyce and his assistant minister in relation to the overall specifics of the allocation of the portfolio, as there are in my portfolio, because the letter from the Prime Minister in respect of that has not yet been provided.

We will deliver the plan on time, as has been proposed. The operations of the Murray-Darling are in very good hands, between the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. The allocation is very, very clear in the ministerial orders and the responsibilities within the portfolios will be in accordance with the charter letters provided by the Prime Minister.