Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question without notice is to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. In view of the revelations from Dr Alison Bleaney and Sydney scientist Marcus Scammell that eucalyptus nitens might be turning catchments of water in Tasmania into pesticide factories, when did the minister for forests, Mr Burke, first become aware of that toxicity and what action did he or will he take? Can the minister inform the Senate as to the amount of taxpayers’ money which has gone into the genetic modification program which has led to the eucalyptus nitens producing the added flow-off of toxin?

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In respect of whether the minister, Mr Burke, is aware or not, I do not know. I will have to take that on notice because there is no reference in the brief provided to me by the minister. I will take that part of the question on notice. I can provide Senator Brown with some material that is relevant to the range of questions he asks. I am advised that there is no evidence to date that naturally-occurring toxins from eucalypt species have been identified as a problem in drinking water supplies in Australia. Also, the Australian government has endorsed the Australian drinking water guidelines to ensure the safety of drinking water supplies. These guidelines, developed as part of the National Water Quality Management Strategy, undergo periodic review, and a review is underway at the present time. That review is being overseen by the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Water Quality Advisory Committee, and advice on new and revised guidance is provided to a number of ministerial councils for endorsement, including to the Environment Protection and Heritage Council, which Minister Garrett chairs.

These reviews are intended to ensure that guidance on chemicals and other substances of concern that may be present in drinking water is regularly updated, and that new issues or threats to water quality are addressed quickly and efficiently. The minister, Mr Garrett, has asked his department to work with colleagues from the National Health and Medical Research Council to look into the matter of whether or not naturally occurring toxins from eucalypt species should be treated as an issue of concern in drinking water supplies. I will also take on notice the question about the funding matter. (Time expired)

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Does the minister understand the difference between a flow-off from a natural ancient forest and the flow-off from a human induced and built plantation, and will the minister concede that flow-off from genetically altered and enhanced plantations cannot be described as natural? (Time expired)

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Who supported the establishment of these plantations?

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have to say that on occasions, though very rarely, Senator Abetz is of some help. He did refresh—

Mark Bishop (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ask Godwin!

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would not ask Mr Grech. On this occasion, Senator Abetz has been extraordinarily helpful. He does remind me of the history of the debate on the plantations in Tasmania. The Greens were very strong supporters of plantations in my home state of Tasmania.

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order. You know the difficulty when Senator Abetz and Senator Sherry get together—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is not a point of order!

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, but what is a point of order is that there is 34 seconds left and I ask the minister whether he is claiming that plantation forests and their run-off are ‘natural’.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do draw the minister’s attention to the fact that he has 34 seconds remaining to address the question.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I have said, I do not have a brief from the minister, Mr Burke. I will take that aspect of the question on notice. As to the other matters that Senator Brown raised in his supplementary question, under the Tasmanian Regional Forestry Agreement, the Tasmanian government has of course— (Time expired)

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I remark on the failure of the minister to answer either of the previous two questions. I ask him: does it not concern the government that the University of New South Wales toxicologist Christian Khalil has said that whatever agent is in the water is 100 per cent toxic to human skin, liver and lung cells. We are referring to water from the Georges River, which supplies the people of St Helens. Does it not worry the government that the same toxin—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Brown, your time has expired. I remind senators that supplementary questions are now limited to 30 seconds for the questioner.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am aware of the issue raised on Australian Story on the ABC on 15 February. I understand the second part of the story is to be aired tonight. I have already indicated that I am a representational minister and I do not have a brief from the minister, Mr Burke.

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well you should have—it is all over the media.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have been honest—the fact is I do not have that brief. With due respect, I think I am making a reasonable attempt to answer your question without a brief. I am being very honest and frank in the face of not having a brief, and am taking on notice those areas where I have indicated I will come back to you with an answer.