Senator ABETZ —I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That the Senate—

(a)   notes:

   (i)   the historic signing of the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) between the Prime Minister (Mr Howard) and the Tasmanian Premier (Mr Rundle) on behalf of the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments, respectively, on 8 November 1997,

   (ii)   that the RFA will:

      (a)   provide certainty for conservation of environment and heritage values through the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system,

      (b)   provide for the ecologically sustainable management and use of forests in Tasmania,

      (c)   provide for future growth and development of Tasmanian industries associated with forests and timber products,

      (d)   assist with the development of forest-based tourism and recreational opportunities based on Tasmania's environmental advantages,

      (e)   provide for certainty of resource access to the forest industry,

      (f)   provide for certainty of resource access to the mining industry,

      (g)   remove relevant controls in relation to the application of the Commonwealth Export Control Act 1982 , allowing for the productive use of forest waste,

      (h)   introduce a range of new and enhanced initiatives to assist with forest-based development,

      (i)   encourage the development of forest-based research, and

      (j)   encourage significant employment opportunities and investment throughout Tasmania, and

   (iii)   the artificial hysteria displayed at the signing of the historic RFA by the Tasmanian Green Senator and one of his staff, who sought to hinder the Prime Minister's vehicle, thereby damaging the vehicle; and

(b)   calls on:

   (i)   the Tasmanian Green Senator to apologise to the Prime Minister for the behaviour of his staff member—

Senator Brown —Madam Deputy President, I rise on a point of order. If this reference is to me, then ought not the mover have the gumption to say so?

Senator ABETZ —There is no point of order.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —There is no point of order.

Senator ABETZ —Madam Deputy President, if I may address you on that: it is interesting to note—

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —There is no point of order, Senator Abetz.

Senator ABETZ —It is interesting to note that the answers—

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Senator Abetz, there is no point of order. Would you continue with your notice of motion, please?

Senator ABETZ —Can I raise a point of order, then, to indicate to you, Madam Deputy President, that it is interesting that the honourable senator who just arose answered to the description of `Tasmanian Greens senator', when he always refers to himself as the `Australian Greens senator'?

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Senator Abetz, there is no point of order. Would you please continue with your notice of motion?

Senator ABETZ —Yes, I will. Thank you, Madam Deputy President. My notice of motion continues:

      and ensure full compensation is made for any damage occasioned to Commonwealth property,

   (ii)   environmental extremists to desist from their campaign of misrepresentation, and

   (iii)   all of Australia to accept this historic agreement as being a sensible balance between jobs and legitimate environmental concerns.