(1) Has the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) undertaken any research into the impact of deregulation of the Australian dairy industry in addition to the analysis commissioned by the Federal Government as part of the deregulation process; if so: (a) what was the nature of that work; (b) who commissioned the work; and (c) what were the major findings of that work.

(2) Has ABARE undertaken any investigations into the impact of the amendments to the Northern Prawn Fishery Management Plan in 2000 and 2001 on the North Queensland regional economy; if so: (a) when did that work commence; (b) what were the terms of reference; and (c) when was that work completed.

(3) (a) What were the results of that study; and (b) when were those results provided to the Federal Government.

(4) What has been the response from the Federal Government to the findings of the ABARE study.

(1) No.

(2) Yes. ABARE undertook research into the impacts of the Northern Prawn Fishery Amendment Plan 1999 during 2000 and 2001 that included an assessment of the impact on the north Queensland port of Cairns. (a) 1 October 2000. (b) `To monitor the economic impact of the Northern Prawn Fishery Amendment Management Plan 1999 on shore and offshore based activities'.(c) January 2002.

(3) (a) The data collected by ABARE provides a baseline from which to monitor the economic impact of the Plan on shore and offshore based activities. Initial research indicates that the potential impact on shore-based activities from boats leaving the northern prawn fishery industry as a result of the Northern Prawn Fishery Amendment Management Plan 1999 would appear to be minimal. (b) 16 February 2002.

(4) The Government publicly communicated the results of the study through a press release issued 28 February 2002.