Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President, I was indeed making the point, given the question referenced the attendance of a compliance officer at the meeting, that Mr Taylor has been clear that he did not know that there was a compliance officer present at this meeting. I further highlight the statement of the secretary of the Department of the Environment and Energy, who has said very clearly on the record, 'In relation to compliance, I can be very clear that Minister Taylor has never raised the issue with me.'

In relation to the insinuation that somehow nobody else is concerned about this issue, can I draw the Senate's attention to a joint letter from New South Wales Farmers and the National Farmers' Federation dated 3 October 2017 with regard to 'EPBC listing: natural temperate grassland of the South Eastern Highlands of New South Wales and the ACT'. This clearly was an issue of interest to farmers across this region, including the local MP. (Time expired)