Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. I refer to the leader of the Western Australian Nationals Party, Minister Grylls, who is advocating for an increase in the resources production rental fee from 25c a tonne to $5 a tonne, which is estimated to raise $1½ billion a year. My question, Minister, is very, very simple: does the government support Minister Grylls's plan?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No.

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

Senator Sterle, a supplementary question.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That shocked me—I have not heard a one-word answer like that in the 11 years I have been here! Does the minister agree with the Prime Minister's description of Mr Grylls's plan as 'very troubling'?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

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

Senator Sterle?

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is getting better all the time! I should ask more!

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

Senator Sterle, a final supplementary question.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. Does the minister agree with the Deputy Prime Minister, who, when asked about Mr Grylls's proposal, said he would not:

… run down any proposal that was designed to get a better deal for its constituents.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Sterle, I actually have not seen the Deputy Prime Minister's remarks, but I am very confident that the Deputy Prime Minister's position is the same as the Prime Minister's position, and that is that we do not support Mr Grylls's proposal. Thank you very much, Senator Sterle.