Richard Colbeck Tasmania, Liberal Party
3:00 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer. On 19 March, I forwarded a letter from Tas Farmers and wrote to the Treasurer expressing concern about the market distortion being created by the subsidisation of the purchase of the 22,000-hectare irrigated dairy and beef farm Rushy Lagoon by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to a foreign investment company to convert that property to growing trees to store carbon to provide offsets for foreign companies. Minister, as of today, Tas Farmers have received no response from any member of the government—not the Treasurer and not the ag minister, who also has an interest. Why haven't Tas Farmers received a response and when will they?
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
3:01 pm
I thank Senator Colbeck for the question. I would have to take that on notice. I am not aware of the issue or where the response to that letter may be, but I undertake to find out from the Treasurer's office and come back to you directly.
Richard Colbeck Tasmania, Liberal Party
Minister, on 11 May I also wrote to the Treasurer and to you expressing my concerns in the same sentiment about this market-distorting dud deal. My letters have also been ignored by the government. When will the government respond to the broad concerns expressed about this dud, market-distorting deal?
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
3:02 pm
Well, no-one's ignored your correspondence, Senator Colbeck. It may be that it—I actually don't recall where that response is up to. I will undertake to come back to Senator Colbeck directly with any further information.
Richard Colbeck Tasmania, Liberal Party
Thank you for that answer, Minister. Why won't the government just say no to this dud market-distorting deal that benefits foreign companies rather than Australian food production and is clearly not in the Australian interest?
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
I will come back to Senator Colbeck with any further information I can provide.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I ask that further questions be placed on notice.