QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Mr CHESTER (Gippsland—Deputy Leader of the National Party) (14:51): on indulgence—I'd like to commend the minister for the manner in which she's engaged with the opposition in the manner of the H5 bird flu outbreak. From day one, the minister's office has been available to my office and to members of the coalition to seek information, particularly for those members who have had outbreaks in their own communities, and that is greatly respected and appreciated.

I can assure the minister and the government that the coalition will continue to act in a very bipartisan manner to ensure that any of the risks associated with this outbreak are well managed in the interests of not just the incredible Australian wildlife but also our agricultural sector. I want to thank the chief vet, Dr Beth Cookson, for the briefing she's provided as well, and all the workers on the ground who are doing everything they can to try and prevent further incursions and impacts on our agricultural sector.

Like the minister, I want to reassure the Australian public that there has been no impact on the Australian agricultural sector to date. Our poultry sector, our eggs are all safe to eat, and I encourage Australians to keep eating Australian grown products and again reassure the House and reassure the Australian public that the coalition stands willing to assist the government in whatever way possible to try to minimise the impacts.

We certainly hope for the best, but we have prepared for the worst, and I want to again thank the minister for her willingness to keep engaging with the opposition in this regard.