Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. What policy or plans does this government have for the permanent ban on supertrawlers in Australian waters?

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

The Prime Minister made it perfectly clear in answer to a question from the honourable member for Denison in question time in the other place earlier this week. I have nothing further to add to the Prime Minister's statement that he made on that occasion.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I might read out that statement as part of my question. The Prime Minister said:

It was banned with the support of members on this side of the House. It was banned; it will stay banned.

That is pretty cut and dried. The Tasmanian media reported it. Can Senator Abetz please clarify if the Prime Minister was referring to a permanent ban on supertrawlers?

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

I would have thought it was pretty clear when he said it was banned and it will remain banned. That is, I would have thought, very clear for everybody. We as a government have indicated that position through the Prime Minister in question time earlier this week in answer to a question from the member for Denison.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I thank Senator Abetz for his response and I am pleased with his response. Given Mr Abbott's strong response and Senator Abetz's strong response, has the government any plans to legislate a permanent ban on supertrawlers to ensure they will not enter Australian waters?

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

The answer the Prime Minister gave was very clear. The supertrawler was banned, it remains banned and, as I understand it, the company involved has no interest in bringing its supertrawler back to Australia.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order referring to relevance. I asked a very specific and a very short question: does the government have any plans for a legislative ban on supertrawlers?

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

There is no point of order at this stage. I cannot direct or tell the minister how to answer the question. The minister still has 44 seconds remaining to address the question.

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

I indicate for the benefit of the honourable senator that the Tasmanian Liberals have made their position very clear. I know why this question is being asked—because the Greens, in a desperate bid for votes in Tasmania, are trying to harness some votes and use this supertrawler type issue for them to fish some votes. But I tell you that the state Liberals are very strong on this as well, and they have indicated their position just as clearly.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, on a point of order going to relevance: the senator has 12 seconds left, but he still has not answered the question. Will you legislate for a permanent ban on supertrawlers?

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

There is no point of order.

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

I have nothing further to add.