CHAIR —Welcome. Would you like to make an opening statement?

Dr Pigram —No.

CHAIR —We will go strait to questions then.

Senator COLBECK —I have some very quick questions about some research that was conducted in Bass Strait recently. There have been some allegations around impact on scallops. Just to get my hierarchy straight, it was funded by the Commonwealth through Geoscience Australia. It was approved by Tasmania through their auspices. It was conducted by the Victorian government. So they are effectively the three entities that were involved in that process?

Dr Pigram —I think that is correct, Senator.

Senator COLBECK —What research are you aware of on the public record—or are you aware of, I suppose—in relation to the potential impacts on scallops of seismic testing?

Mr Squire —Senator, there is a study on the public record that was undertaken by Exxon Mobil back in 2003-04, from memory, which was a study of the potential impact of seismic operations on the mortality of scallops.

Senator COLBECK —So 2003?

Mr Squire —I will take the question on notice in terms of the exact date of that study, but that is my recollection.

Senator COLBECK —And what is your recollection of the results of that study?

Mr Squire —The conclusions from that study indicated that there was no increased mortality impact on scallops as the result of seismic operations.

Senator COLBECK —Over what time frame was the study taken? Was it taken in the immediate time frame around the seismic testing or was there any longer tail to the research?

Mr Squire —I will take that question on notice if that is okay. I do not recall all of the details of the study.

Senator COLBECK —I am more than happy to read a report. If you can, perhaps as part of that question, direct me to a website or somewhere where I might be able to pick up that report.

Mr Squire —Certainly. There has been a more recent study as well as a result of the issues experienced towards the end of last year, and we will certainly look to see whether we can provide that to you as well.

Senator COLBECK —But my understanding is that that was taken, again, over a short time frame. I think it was somewhere around six weeks before, during and after the seismic testing. And from the information I have been given, the allegations of impact did not manifest themselves within that time. I am aware of that report that indicates not much impact, but from the information I have been given the impact has manifested itself over a longer period of time. Is that—

Mr Squire —I will take those elements on notice.

Senator COLBECK —Can you give me an indication of what discussions you have had with the industry in and around that process? Obviously there has been an agreement or there has been some project work done around it, but what conversations have you had since?

Mr Squire —I am sorry—

Senator COLBECK —You have not had any meetings or discussions with the scallop industry since the seismic testing or since the completion of the study?

Mr Squire —I have not had any discussions with the Tasmanian scallop industry on this issue.

Senator COLBECK —And you are not aware of anyone in Geoscience Australia that has?

Dr Pigram —Geoscience Australia is not having those discussions.

Senator COLBECK —You have not had any claims or correspondence or anything of that nature in relation to this to get a sense of what the effects might be?

Dr Pigram —Not that I am aware of, but I am happy to take it on notice and check for you.

Senator COLBECK —If you would, please. Perhaps you are about to—I don’t know.

Mr Clarke —Forewarned!

Senator COLBECK —Pending that information, I think I will leave it there. That gives me a toe in the water, so to speak, and we can perhaps have some further conversations down the track.

CHAIR —Thank you, Dr Pigram and Geoscience Australia, for coming in today. We will move to the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. The Tourism Division and Tourism Australia will be heard together.

[5.51 pm]