Mr GAVAN O'CONNOR (2:04 PM) —My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage. Can the minister confirm that Primary Energy Pty Ltd sought funding through the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program for its ethanol project in the seat of Gwydir in the first half of 2003? Can he confirm that the funding application from Primary Energy Pty Ltd has not been approved? Why has the government failed to support this project under its Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program?

Mr TRUSS (Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) —I am well aware of the fact that the government has an incentive program to encourage investment in alternative fuels and alternative energies. We actually believe that there is a strong place in the Australian fuel and energy mix for alternative fuels, a position that the opposition have not been able to embrace. They can find all sorts of reasons to oppose alternative fuels, but they are never prepared to support worthwhile projects that could achieve benefits in that regard.

In relation to the specifics of how many companies applied for grants under that particular program and which companies may have been successful or otherwise, I will need to seek additional information from the minister. If there is any additional information that is important, I will provide it to the House.