QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator McKENZIE (Victoria—Leader of the Nationals in the Senate) (14:38): My question is to the minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Thousands of Australian family farms use trusts as a core means of managing risk, protecting assets, supporting succession-planning and investing for the long term. There are more than 37,000 trusts operating in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry businesses.

Trusts help farmers manage severe income volatility from drought, natural disasters, seasonal conditions and trade disputes. Will the government guarantee Australian farmers will not be forced to pay more to obtain advice and restructure their trusts just to help manage risks to their businesses?