Mr KELVIN THOMSON (2:26 PM) —My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade. Is the Deputy Prime Minister aware of a recent government publication Managing vertebrate pests: rodents, which shows rats undermine export crops, damaging trade by up to $26 million a year, and which describes Queensland canefield rats as a rising threat? Is the minister taking any action to deal with the emerging threat from Queensland rats?

Mr VAILE (Minister for Trade) —I thank the member for his question. These people seriously put themselves forward as the alternative government in Australia. What the publication proves is the extent to which the government does go to assist Australian exporters to be as competitive and efficient as possible. And I think that the member for Hotham would know all about rats.