Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Minister Sherry representing the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Has the Rudd government had any talks with, or given any undertakings to, Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett or any member of the Labor government in Tasmania about immediately renegotiating the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement to provide for logging of old-growth forests in Tasmania until at least 2037—20 years beyond the end of the current agreement due to end in 2017?

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It seems like there is an election in Tasmania. It is Tassie week. This is the third question we have had this week on Tasmanian issues. The government is committed to supporting regional jobs and communities and encouraging sustainable forestry, investment in forestry and helping our forest industry prepare for the future challenges. The regional forest agreements, commonly known as RFAs, are the primary mechanism for ensuring sustainable forestry management in a particular region, which balances economic, social, environmental biodiversity and heritage outcomes.

I am not sure whether Senator Milne was also going to my specific responsibilities as Assistant Treasurer. I think the only area of policy development that I am directly involved in as Assistant Treasurer is an examination of the tax arrangements relating to managed investment schemes, which in turn, of course—

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order. Clearly Senator Milne asked a question of the minister in his capacity as representative of the minister for forests, and it was about a 20-year extension of the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement. That is the question that the minister should be answering.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I believe the minister is seeking to answer the question and I believe that the minister has 54 seconds left. I cannot instruct the minister how to answer the question. I draw the minister’s attention to the fact that there are now 54 seconds remaining.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was really trying to be helpful by going to managed investment schemes, which are critical in terms of forestry plantations. In terms of representational responsibilities for my colleague Minister Burke, I can confirm that RFAs are 20-year agreements.

Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I would like to now ask the minister whether the Rudd government supports the ongoing logging of old-growth forests in Tasmania until 2037, and are they open to renegotiating the regional forest agreement to deliver on that promise?

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I have mentioned, I am the representational minister. I really was trying to get into a bit more detail as Assistant Treasurer. I have confirmed RFAs are 20-year agreements. I can confirm there are 10 RFAs, in Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. They were developed in the mid-1990s, following the largest scientific assessment and consultation process undertaken for forestry. Clearly a level of forest activity and harvesting is permitted under RFAs.

I will take the remainder of questions, on the very few areas that I have not been able to comprehensively answer, on notice and refer them to Minister Burke. I will try and get you an answer, Senator, before the Tasmanian elections, because I think that is what your motivation is.

Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Can the minister tell the Senate whether Premier Bartlett has misled the Tasmanian people by saying that he would immediately renegotiate the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement to provide for logging of old-growth forests in Tasmania for another 20 years if there had been no talks with the Commonwealth—or have there been talks with the Commonwealth? It is one or the other. Have there been talks with the Commonwealth?

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! When there is silence I will call the minister.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Believe it or not, despite being from Tasmania—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Wait a minute, Senator Sherry. I will give you the call. Senator Sherry.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have not actually been following it day by day—

Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Special Minister of State and Scrutiny of Government Waste) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ronaldson interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You have the call, Senator Sherry.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. I was being instructed by Senator Ronaldson over there—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Don’t listen to others’ instructions.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have followed his instruction in one regard. He knows what it is—a very, very fine instruction.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That can be dangerous, Senator Sherry. Just address the chair.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry, Mr President. Believe it or not, I have not been following every statement that the very fine Premier of Tasmania, Mr Bartlett, makes in respect of the Tasmanian election. I was certainly at the launch on Monday and I cannot recall him referring to forestry in that policy speech.

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That’s because you were asleep!

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a fine speech, Senator Brown. Nevertheless, I cannot recall him mentioning forestry on that occasion. I will check—I will have a look at other public statements he has made. I am aware, obviously, that there is a Tasmanian state election on. I will come back to you. (Time expired)