Mr KERR —My question is directed to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware that the Tasmanian regional forest agreement cannot remotely achieve the Janis criteria, particularly conservation of 15 per cent of pre-1750 forest types, biodiversity and protection of rare and endangered species, unless significant areas of forest on private land are protected? In light of Premier Rundle's statement today in the Tasmanian parliament that the RFA was being delayed because of the Commonwealth refusing to accept financial responsibility, has the federal government further damaged the prospect of a successful outcome for the Tasmanian regional forest agreement?

Mr HOWARD —I have not seen that statement. Any suggestion that the Commonwealth has not been willing to shoulder both its financial responsibilities and its other responsibilities in negotiating with Tasmania could not be further from the truth. I have had a number of discussions with the Tasmanian Premier. The last of those discussions involved the making of a very generous Commonwealth offer and I am yet to hear from him.