Mr LLOYD (Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads) (12:32 PM) —I genuinely thank the honourable member for his series of questions because they give me the opportunity to highlight a number of initiatives which the government has put in place.

Mr Martin Ferguson —Just answer the question.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Hon. IR Causley)—The member for Hotham!

Mr LLOYD —I believe it was the member for Batman, Mr Deputy Speaker.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER —The member for Batman, I should say.

Mr LLOYD —I support your ruling. To go back to the conference with the ACC chairs, that was a very successful conference at which all three of the ministers responsible for Regional Partnerships spoke on a number of occasions to the area consultative committee chairs and general managers. It was an opportunity for us to discuss how we can continue to have open and transparent discussions in relation to Regional Partnerships. It is interesting that the Labor opposition stand up here and criticise the time it has taken to allocate funding through Regional Partnerships. As members opposite would be well aware, there were some changes undertaken in the process for Regional Partnerships. There is now a three-minister committee. It is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Special Minister for State, Gary Nairn, and I are on that committee. We meet on a regular basis to discuss partnership programs around Australia and approve them or otherwise.

It is an involved process by which we do take very seriously the recommendations of the area consultative committees. We take into consideration the departmental recommendations. We also take into consideration a number of other matters. But, at the end of the day, ministers are appointed to make decisions in the best interests of their communities. The honourable member claims that he was the one who set up the area consultative committees, and I for one believe that they are an integral part of providing advice to the Australian government. It is something that we very much value.

As far as the underspends are concerned, we certainly are working with the department and the area consultative committees to see if we can in any way streamline the process. But, at the same time, we want a rigorous process which looks at all of the elements for these projects. We will not rubber-stamp a project because of the time it has taken. We often will send projects back for further information before making a decision. That is something that I think is perfectly understandable and something that I would have thought the opposition would welcome.

Mr Crean —And the Gunnedah ethanol plant?

Mr LLOYD —As far as the situation with the Gunnedah ethanol plant is concerned, it is interesting how the opposition has changed its view on ethanol. At that time, when there was not so much focus on global warming and fuel prices, there was a really vicious attack on anyone who wanted to produce ethanol. There was seen to be a scare campaign that ethanol was going to damage cars. It really made it very difficult for anyone who wanted to get involved in alternative fuels such as ethanol. Now there seems to be a sudden change. Everyone seems to be wanting alternative fuels and the opposition suddenly supports it. But I remember that at that time there was a very strong and concerted attack on ethanol. Primary energy seemed to get linked up into that at that time. As far as the status of that project is concerned, I am happy to seek information from my department and provide anything that I can to you.