Mr Martyn Evans asked the Treasurer upon notice, on 3 December 2003:

(1) Has his attention been drawn to the critique by Ian Castles and David Henderson of the economic and statistical work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and especially the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) as published in an ongoing exchange in the journal Energy and Environment.

(2) Will he ensure that the matters raised in the various articles by Castles and Henderson and the responses from the IPCC Team are analysed by Treasury officials and other relevant Government statistical experts to ensure that emission projections are based on a sound economic and statistical footing.

(3) Will Australia take up this issue at the international level to clarify the complex issues involved.

(4) Will he (a) require his department, and (b) encourage statistical officers of other OECD countries to be fully engaged in the development of the economic and statistical work of the IPCC to ensure that uncertainties of this nature do not arise in the future.

Mr Costello (Treasurer) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) Yes.

(2) These matters are under consideration by a range of Government agencies. The Australian Government considers it important that emissions projections are based on a sound economic and statistical footing.

(3) I am informed by my Department that these issues are being considered by relevant international bodies. As noted in my answer to Question 2, Australia's efforts are directed toward promoting emissions projections based on a sound economic and statistical footing.

(4) Refer to answers provided for question (2) and (3) above.