Senator O'Brien asked the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, upon notice, on 30 March 1999:

(1) On how many occasions did the former minister for Primary Industries and Energy, Mr Anderson, write to the New South Wales Government regarding drought in the Monaro region.

(2) What was the date of each letter or fax.

(3) What was the purpose of each letter or fax.

Senator Alston (Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) —The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) Three.

(2) (a) 16 October 1997.

(b) 31 December 1997.

(c) 3 March 1998.

(3) (a) In his letter of 16 October 1997 the Minister raised concerns that the application was made under DEC and not EC, when the application acknowledged that it didn't meet DEC criterion. He accepted the request that the application now be considered for EC. He noted scarcity of objective data in the application.

(b) In his letter of 31 December 1997 the Minister advised that conditions did not constitute an EC event at the time of assessment, but that he would request RASAC to reassess conditions early in the new year.

(c) In his letter of 3 March 1998 the Minister wrote to advise that EC had been declared in Monaro A and what assistance would be provided.