Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Colbeck. I refer to Mr Joyce's statement that the allocation of water responsibilities is 'crucial for how the coalition works'. Who has responsibility for water and for the Murray-Darling Basin—the agriculture minister, Mr Joyce, or his assistant minister, Senator Ruston? Can the minister confirm that the revised administrative arrangement orders allocate responsibility for environmental water use to Mr Hunt and not to Mr Joyce?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Tourism and International Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Wong for the question.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are not looking very sincere there.

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

Order!

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Tourism and International Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, I do welcome the opportunity to take a question, Senator.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How about an answer then!

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

Order on my left!

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Tourism and International Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have spent a lot of time in the chamber and I look forward to the opportunity. The allocation of responsibilities for water across the two portfolios is clearly laid out in the ministerial orders that have been provided by the government through the Governor-General. Within the actual agricultural portfolio, there are still negotiations being conducted between Minister Joyce and his assistant minister in relation to the overall specifics of the allocation of the portfolio, as there are in my portfolio, because the letter from the Prime Minister in respect of that has not yet been provided.

We will deliver the plan on time, as has been proposed. The operations of the Murray-Darling are in very good hands, between the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. The allocation is very, very clear in the ministerial orders and the responsibilities within the portfolios will be in accordance with the charter letters provided by the Prime Minister.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I refer to Mr Pasin, a South Australian Liberal, who said:

The National Party don't have significant interest in the lower end of the river system.

Is he correct?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Tourism and International Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I believe that the National Party and the Liberal Party are concerned about the proper allocation and the health of the Murray-Darling Basin and the whole system. There is no question about that. That is why Minister Joyce is so passionate about his role in the management of the Murray-Darling system. In my view, there is no differential between the National Party and the Liberal Party in this space. We are a very, very contented coalition. We are working very closely together and, as I said in my previous answer, the objectives of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan will be delivered in full and on time.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Is Mr Joyce committed to keeping the Murray mouth open nine years out of 10?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Tourism and International Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We are committed to delivering on the plan. That is what the plan says.