Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Boswell for his first supplementary question. I say at the outset that the Australian government already has this year made representations to Ta Ann customers in Japan. The Australian Embassy in Tokyo hosted the presentation to Japanese customers of Ta Ann Tasmania on 25 January 2013 to that effect. Representatives from the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Wilderness Society of Tasmania attended that embassy briefing to personally deliver their message of support for the signatories agreement and the Tasmanian forest industry.

Understandably, those relying on Ta Ann for their livelihoods are concerned about their future, particularly given that two small groups and Markets for Change continue to challenge market acceptance of Tasmanian wood products that national environmental groups are endorsing. Across the government, the environment minister, Minister Burke, my parliamentary secretary, Mr Sid Sidebottom, Minister Crean and—(Time expired)