QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for the Environment and Water) (14:30): I take offence at the suggestion that this government, or I personally, would push a species to extinction, which is the way Senator Hanson-Young phrased that question. But we understand that the Greens will always take a political opportunity when it arises. As I was saying, my department—well before this event occurred—had undertaken a susceptibility analysis to identify the species at greatest risk from this virus.

That is why we have then invested $113 million, including $11 million in this year's federal budget, to ensure that we're prepared. Now, as I was saying when my time ran out, while Senator Hanson-Young and the Greens party might want to take a political opportunity here, let's look at what the Invasive Species Council has had to say about this—a group that's actively involved in this effort.

I quote them as saying: Never before in history has an environmental biosecurity issue been offered this level of funding for preparedness. So, while the Greens might want to grandstand and take political potshots, environmental groups like the Invasive Species Council recognise the effort that's been undertaken and have worked with us constructively in that regard.

(Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Hanson-Young, second supplementary?