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

I thank the parliamentary secretary for attempting to answer the questions that I raised during my second reading contribution. I heard what he said about the process and being able to write back to the department. Does that mean that all the other offers that other departments may have made are still proceeding, or are they all put on hold?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to that is they are still proceeding.

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

Thank you. Is there a time line once the appeal process starts? What is the time frame for resolution of that? Is there a mechanism to go to an independent resolution process if there cannot be a resolution with the agency?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer, as I understand it, is that it is 30 days from the time that we have the response, but there is no independent process.

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

Does that mean it is 'take it or leave it' after 30 days?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We will be basing the response on their costs, as long as we have the evidence in relation to that.

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

Thank you. I appreciate the minister's answer in terms of commitment to the Western Australian situation with the federal IR process. In terms of the partnership or the appeals process, where the Commonwealth is negotiating with the state, I can see the not-for-profit sector getting caught between the Commonwealth and the state. Is there a process that you have in mind for resolving any disputes there?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Siewert for the question. We are negotiating with the states over those and hope to have a satisfactory outcome.

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

I am not trying to be dense here, but do you mean over the whole process or an appeals process?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am talking about an appeals process for the Commonwealth-state relations.

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

I thank the minister for his answers. If I require any more detail, I will put that on notice.

Bills reported without amendments; report adopted.