Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That there be laid on the table, no later than 4 pm on 10 October 2016, by the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, any documents held by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources relating to the relocation from Canberra to Armidale of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, including:

(a) any cost benefit analysis; and

(b) any correspondence or other information, including briefings, meeting and file notes, between any Australian Government Minister, department or agency.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government is committed to boosting jobs growth and to strengthening communities in regional areas. That is why the government announced its election commitment to relocate the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to Armidale. Relocating the APVMA is part of the government's broader election commitment to establish centres of excellence in agriculture in regional areas. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority, the Grains Research and Development Corporation, the Fisheries RDC and the Rural Industries RDC have all instituted moves that will heighten their regional presence and relevance to the rural industries they serve.

Question agreed to.