Senator O'Brien asked the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, upon notice, on 19 March 2003:

(1)  Did the Minister meet with representatives of the Australian Institute of Petroleum on 21 August 2002; if so: (a) at what time did the meeting commence; (b) at what time did the meeting conclude; (c) where did the meeting take place; (d) who was present at the meeting; (e) who initiated the meeting; (f) what was the purpose of the meeting; and (g) what matters were discussed at that meeting.

(2)  Did the Minister refer to a detailed record of that meeting made by his office in answer to a question without notice in the House of Representatives on 25 September 2002.

(3)  Can a copy of that record be provided; if not, why not.

Senator Ian Macdonald —The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1)  Yes.

(a)  The meeting was scheduled to commence at 5.00 pm.

(b)  The meeting was scheduled to last one hour.

(c)  Parliament House.

(d)  Mr Bryan Nye, Mr Gerry Hueston.

(e)  The Australian Institute of Petroleum.

(f)  To discuss issues relating to an ethanol mandate.

(g)  Issues relating to an ethanol mandate.

(2)  Yes.

(3)  A copy of this record was provided in response to Senator O'Brien's request of 7 July 2003 under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 to the Office of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.