Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I have actually answered that question previously. The way I answered this question was not by trying to speak for Senator Whish-Wilson. Senator Whish-Wilson, as the relevant spokesperson for the Australian Greens, is of course free to express his policy aspirations and the policy aspirations of his party. As far as the government's position is concerned, the government's position is clearly and transparently set out in the letter that was co-signed by the Treasurer, the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources and the Leader of the Australian Greens. It commits the government to a process to engage in full public consultation in relation to the proposed introduction of a register of foreign ownership of water entitlements within 12 months. If the government were not to follow through on the commitment that we have made, then the sunset clause which is part of the Australian Greens amendments would come into effect, which in practice would mean that we would have to talk again about the substantive provisions in this bill that is currently before us.

The government in good faith has committed to the Greens as part of the agreement that we have reached to engage in this process, which will involve full public consultation. At the end of it, the intention is to come up with a proposal to set up a register of foreign ownership of water entitlements, which is put forward in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Senator Wong also in her remarks talked about the fact that nobody in the government has ever articulated the need to change the threshold. We have articulated that need—