Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

My very diligent chief of staff has pointed out to me that I made a terrible error. I said that after five years the government is going to have another plan for forestry. But she has pointed out that they never had a plan, so that was a mistake. In 2015 they had an issues paper, in 2016 they had a discussion paper and now, in the budget, they have announced that they are going to develop a plan. So I stand corrected on that point.

The minister has generously indicated that he will answer my further question on the Western Australian government's interest in the Awassi Express, and I thank him for that. I will give him the opportunity to answer two questions when he rises to his feet. The second question is around the other intergovernmental agreement of great interest to me, and that is the one on drought. That intergovernmental agreement also expires in July this year. When will the matter go to ag min again? Do we have to wait another year? What happens in the meantime? Is the current intergovernmental agreement rolling over and will it remain in place until then? What work, if any, has been done, as envisaged by SCoPI when the states agreed to the intergovernmental agreement, to assess the effectiveness of the objectives laid down in the original intergovernmental agreement?

On the matter of farm household support, given that many recipients of farm household support are now reaching the end of the three-year qualification period for that assistance, what indications can the minister give to farm families coming off farm household support that there will be additional alternative assistance available to those still facing very severe drought?

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