Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Milne asked me if that was the case and then she said it was not the case, so I am not quite sure what she really wants to know. I am no expert on that matter. I am happy to find out for her the truth of the matter and the reasons for the government’s position. As she would know, we are working very closely with Papua New Guinea on a whole range of areas. We have invested a huge amount in our relationship with Papua New Guinea. One of the things we are trying to do in Papua New Guinea is ensure that it has a sustainable forest industry. To countries like Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands, sustainable forest industries are vital to their future welfare. We are not telling them to lock up the forests. We want to help them to manage their forests, reduce CO emissions from deforestation and provide sustainable economic futures for their people.