Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (Senator Wong) by 20 August 2009, the Australian Terrestrial Biodiversity Assessment 2008 and all documents used in its preparation, including drafts.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Two minutes is granted.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Senate. The government cannot support this motion, as the document requested—the Australian terrestrial biodiversity assessment 2008is not complete. The responsibility for the former National Land and Water Resources Audit draft Terrestrial biodiversity assessment was assigned to the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts in November 2008. The draft report had been considered by peer reviewers and the states and territories. All reviewers have identified that further work was needed to finalise the report; when the draft report was received by the department that additional work had not occurred.

The report is currently being revised in line with comments from the peer reviewers and the states and territories. When complete the report will summarise the available data and information on Australia’s biodiversity, drawing on multiple sources, and will include a frank and robust assessment of the state of Australia’s biodiversity. It is due to be made available to the public in October 2009. The government informed Senator Siewert of the timetable in June 2009, when the very same motion was last considered by the Senate, and the timetable has not changed. I think I may have said that then too.

Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—The government recognises that the Greens and the opposition both support this motion. That therefore means that, although we oppose it, it will succeed and we will not call a division.

Question agreed to.