(1)   Were the 57 competitive projects under the 2009-10 Caring for Our Country business plan authorised when he announced them on 2 July 2009.

(2)   Is it a fact that authorisation for these projects, under Regulation 9 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act, did not occur until 4 August 2009.

(3)   Is it a fact that as at 17 September 2009, staff of his department were retro-fitting the outcomes of the 2008-09 Caring for Our Country projects to ensure they were aligned with the initiative’s targets.

(4)   Is it a fact that nearly 90 per cent of the investment proposals received by the Government for the 2009-10 Caring for Our Country business plan will not be funded.

(5)   Will he consider remodelling the Caring for Our Country initiative to make it more accessible.

(6)   Do all projects that have commenced under the 2009-10 Caring for Our Country business plan have the necessary planning, approvals, permits and permissions.

(1)   Yes.

(2)   No. This statement is incorrect.

(3)   2008-09 was a transition year for Caring for our Country. In this first year a wide range of projects were funded under the national priorities to ensure continuity of natural resource management activity that was consistent with the high-level program objectives while the more detailed program architecture was being developed. Investments funded during the transition year included open grants, community coastcare, regional projects and election commitments. These transition year projects have since been analysed to establish their contribution to the specific outcomes and targets which were developed later and which sit beneath the national priorities. This mapping of investments to targets will facilitate consistent reporting on expenditure and progress each year.

(4)   Final data on the actual success rate for proposals developed under the 2009-10 Caring for our Country business plan will not be available until I have announced all successful proposals. I am confident the success rate will be greater than 10%.

(5)   The Government is committed to continuous improvement, and to this end the business plan and application process has been extensively reviewed and redesigned, taking into account stakeholder feedback. Revised targets, an on-line application form and clear supporting instructions and information are being developed for 2010-11.  Both achievements and implementation will be reviewed each year and any necessary adjustments made.

(6)   All proponents who are funded under the 2009-10 Caring for our Country business plan declared in their applications that they took full responsibility for ensuring the necessary planning, approvals, permits and permissions were in place before commencing their projects. Non-compliance with this requirement would constitute a breach under the funding agreement. My department is not aware of any such breaches having occurred.