Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, Senator Cormann. Yesterday in the Senate the tabled report of the Expert Panel on the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity that looked into the super-trawler Abel Tasman, found that there were unassessed and unmitigated environmental risks in bringing this type of industrial factory fishing vessels into the small-pelagic fishery. Considering that anyone who previously opposed the arrival of the super-trawler Abel Tasman was labelled as anti-science, when will the government respond to the expert panel's report, and will the government apologise to recreational fishermen and environmentalist who were, it is now proven, simply raising valid concerns?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Whish-Wilson for that question. The government will respond to that report in due course.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. There was not much Christmas cheer in that answer. Considering that in March this year the Prime Minister stated in relation to the super-trawler: 'It was banned and will stay banned,' is the government's permanent solution to bring forward legislation to bring the Prime Minister's words into effect—to ban super-trawlers—or do the Prime Minister's words no longer carry any weight with his cabinet?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government stands by all its previous commitments in relation to this issue. The government is working towards an effective and permanent solution. When we are in a position to make further announcements we will do so.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Considering the enthusiasm of some of your Senate colleagues for bringing back large industrial floating-factory ships, such as Senator Colbeck and Senator Edwards, can you inform the Senate whether the environment minister or the agriculture minister or indeed Senator Colbeck have met with or worked with proponents of any super-trawler since the Prime Minister's comments?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leaving the political rhetoric in that question to one side, I am here representing the Minister for the Environment. I am not here representing other senators and those who were listed in that question. If Senator Whish-Wilson is genuinely interested in an answer to that question he should ask the respective people themselves about who they have met with—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pause the clock. Senator Whish-Wilson on a point of order.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point of order concerns relevance. Senator Cormann is sinking without a trace on this. I simply asked him whether he could say whether his department or the Department of the Environment has met with any proponents of a future super-trawler.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister has the call.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would put it to Senator Whish-Wilson that the question he is asking me is a question addressed to the minister with responsibility for the fisheries portfolio, which would be the minister representing the Minister for Agriculture. In an abundance of helpfulness let me just say that I suspect that the minister and the parliamentary secretary with responsibility for fisheries matters would have interaction with relevant stakeholders in the fisheries portfolio.