Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

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) | Link to this | Hansard source

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.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Colbeck, first supplementary?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

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) | Link to this | Hansard source

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.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Colbeck, second supplementary?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

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) | Link to this | Hansard source

I will come back to Senator Colbeck with any further information I can provide.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on notice.