Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Senator Conroy. Last week the New South Wales government announced a scientific trial of grazing would be conducted in river red gum and cypress forests in the Riverina area, on the land where grazing permits have been issued by the former Labor government—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! Just wait a minute, Senator McKenzie. I cannot hear you because of noise in the chamber. Please continue.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The trial will be based on a recommendation to the previous New South Wales government made by the Natural Resources Commission. Is the minister prepared to let this valid scientific trial proceed, or will Labor put politics and its sycophantic relationship with the Greens ahead of science and attempt to intervene in this state matter?

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! When there is silence we will proceed.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would say Merry Christmas, but that was a slightly churlish question—but I wish you a Merry Christmas anyway, Senator!

Minister Burke has sought advice from the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities about whether national environmental law applies to the grazing trial. Minister Burke makes no apology for protecting national parks for families. National parks are special places, and they are a vital way of protecting our natural environment. Once places are protected in national parks, whether by the Australian, state or territory governments, there should be no backward steps in protection.

On 13 November 2012 the New South Wales Minister for the Environment announced a scientific trial within the New South Wales red gum national parks. The red gum national parks provide a habitat for a range of threatened species. The Murray Valley National Park also includes part of the Central Murray State Forests Ramsar wetlands. Large areas of the national parks—

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Where's your coloured sign?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am being harassed by my own side, Mr President! That is Christmas!

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's actually November 29.

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

Order! I need silence on my right so that the minister can continue the answer.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There should be some Christmas spirit shown from our own side, Senator Evans, is all I can say!

Large areas of the national parks were state forests, which have been subject to grazing for many decades. As I was saying, it also includes part of the Central Murray State Forests Ramsar wetland. The environment department is seeking detailed information from the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage about the nature of the proposed trial to determine whether significant impacts on matters of national environmental significance are likely.

The department is also examining whether the trial might be exempt from the EPBC Act. Potential exemptions include grazing that was authorised before the commencement of the EPBC Act in 2000, or because it is a lawful continuation— (Time expired)

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. The ACT Labor government continues to use grazing as a fuel reduction measure, recent media reports indicate. Indeed, in last fire season, the Fire Management Unit stated:

'Grazing is a crucial, … component of the ACT's hazard reduction program.

As we head into summer do you support the ACT Labor government's continued use of strategic grazing to keep the territory safe from fire?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just to finish the answer that I was—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is actually information that is relevant! 'Or if it is a lawful continuation of use land which was occurring before the commencement of the act'.

As to the ACT governments views, I do not have any further information on that. I am happy to take that on notice and see if the minister can add anything.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I have a further supplementary question. In my home state of Victoria, ecological grazing has been occurring at the Terrick Terrick since the park was proclaimed in 1999. A group of expert grassland scientists has recommended sheep grazing as a tool to achieve specific ecological goals, including helping to preserve the habitat of the endangered plains wanderer. Will the minister support the scientists' view that environmentally sensitive grazing has an important role in the management of particular land assets and the protection of some endangered native species?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Burke is aware that cattle grazing still occurs in various other national parks and nature reserves in different parts of the country.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You asked about sheep, Senator McKenzie, didn't you?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Abetz, if you would like to ask a question, you should feel free—any time.

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

Senator Conroy, ignore the interjection.

Senator Abetz interjecting—

Interjections are disorderly. Senator Conroy, address your answer to the chair.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As Senator Abetz continues to interject across—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I raise a point of order on direct relevance. The question went to sheep grazing, not cattle grazing.

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

The minister is addressing the question. The minister has 47 seconds remaining.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They're the ones that go 'baa'.

An opposition senator: And you do it so well!

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They're your backbench colleagues, Senator Macdonald. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to good senators from Western Australia describe exactly what they think of you and the rest of your parliamentary party.

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

Senator Conroy, just come to the answer.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am sorry, Mr President. Those opposite have no credibility whatsoever on these issues. You supported the Victorian government tramping its way into national parks until Minister Burke tossed them out, and that is as it should have been. Those opposite make no attempt to ask serious questions in this chamber. They have been derelict in their duty as an opposition and they are reduced to baaing like Senator Macdonald is at the moment—the most intelligent contribution Senator Macdonald has made in years. (Time expired)