QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for the Environment and Water) (14:38): I thank Senator Hanson for the question. Unfortunately, Senator Hanson is wrong in her question. It is correct that, in the EPBC reforms we passed last year, we did remove an exemption that had applied under the previous legislation, which simply means now that farmers who wish to clear their land—in particular, regrowth vegetation that's been there for 15 years or more—will simply have to comply with the same rules as those who are seeking to build wind farms, solar farms or even coal mines, which I know is something that Senator Hanson says she's a fan of as well.
What we've done is simply level the playing field by saying that the agriculture sector must follow the same rules as every other sector. Senator Canavan: Small farmers! Senator WATT: Senator Canavan, I know you're upset that Senator Hanson beat you to the punch in asking this question and that, yet again, we see Senator Hanson muscle in on what was once National Party territory.
Senator Canavan managed to do a press conference with AgForce, but it was Senator Hanson who beat him to the punch to ask a question in the chamber. I understand, Senator Canavan, that you're very upset about losing relevance in the bush. I understand you're upset, but I might answer Senator Hanson's question— The PRESIDENT: Order!
Come to order! Senator Canavan: It's the NFF, Murray! You don't even know the difference; you don't even know.
You don't even know the people. The PRESIDENT: Senator Canavan, you're not in a debate with me. Senator Canavan: You don't even know the question.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Canavan, I will name you. Senator WATT: It's interesting: Senator Canavan actually had a question today, and he didn't ask about farmers there. We all remember that it wasn't that long ago when Senator Canavan was saying that farmers were no longer the core constituency of the National Party.
Senator Hanson's now trying to butt in on that. Senator Scarr: My point of order is on direct relevance. The PRESIDENT: I should not have to remind the chamber that, if senators make interjections, the minister is entitled to take those interjections.
But, Minister Watt, I am going to draw you back to Senator Hanson's question. Senator WATT: As I was saying, in fact what we are requiring is nothing different of farmers than what we have required for a very long time of renewables developers, mining developers, property developers. It's the same standard that applies to every industry.
The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Hanson, before I call you— Senator Canavan: All red tape! Senator Watt: You should have asked about it, mate.
The PRESIDENT: Order! I remind the chamber I drew the minister to order and, Senator Canavan, I drew you to order. Sadly, you were so busy interjecting you didn't seem to hear me.
I'm simply asking that— Senator Canavan: Why don't you go after him? This is a double standard; he's interjecting too. The PRESIDENT: No, Senator Canavan.
You're not in a debate. I'm running the chamber. Senator Canavan, I will name you.
You are persistently defying the standing order. If you continue to think that you can stand up and make an argument with me, I will use that standing order. Make no mistake.
I'm going to remind the chamber this is Senator Hanson's question and not to interject. Senator Hanson, first supplementary?