Senator BOB BROWN (Leader of the Australian Greens) (2:30 PM) —My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Nick Sherry, and it is in regard to the increasing contention about coal seam gas and open-cut coal mining in rural areas of Australia. Has the government received representations from former National Party leader John Anderson, acting in his capacity as chairman of Eastern Star Gas Ltd, or Mark Vaile, as chairman of Aston Resources, to promote their interests in exploring and drilling for coal seam gas or coal? If so, which ministers and departments have been approached—

Senator Ian Macdonald —What about Eddie Obeid?

Senator Faulkner interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —Senator Macdonald and Senator Faulkner, it makes it very difficult to hear Senator Brown when you are talking across the chamber, even though he is on the microphone. I am trying to listen to him.

Senator BOB BROWN —Minister, what representations to government or instrumentalities have been made by these former leaders of the National Party or the companies they now chair?

Senator SHERRY (Minister for Small Business, Minister Assisting on Deregulation and Public Sector Superannuation and Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) —In the initial part of his question, Senator Brown referred to some areas of disagreement, dispute and criticism of coal seam gas. I am aware that there are some areas of controversy. Whether those criticisms are valid or not, I am not aware.

Honourable senators interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —Wait a minute, Senator Sherry. Senator Brown is trying to listen to the answer. He is entitled to.

Senator SHERRY —I am aware there are some issues of contention with coal seam gas and I have seen various media reports on some aspects of that activity. I am aware that the use of coal seam gas as an energy source is a very longstanding practice in this country and it accounts for about 30 per cent of domestic gas production in the Eastern States. I could talk much more directly and extensively about the first part of your question about coal seam gas and the activities around the country of various entities.

To come to the second part of your question about Mr Vaile and Mr Anderson, I am aware that they are officers of two companies. That is the limit of my knowledge. The companies you named may or may not be correct. It is not to my knowledge that they are officers of those companies. They may be, but I would have to take that on notice and find out whether that is correct. If it is correct, I am not personally aware of any activities that they have undertaken. They certainly have not seen or discussed with me anything in relation to what may be their perfectly legitimate representations on behalf of the commercial entities that they represent. As to any representations they may have made to any other ministers—(Time expired)

Senator BOB BROWN —Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Minister, is it true that Eastern Star Gas Ltd, while John Anderson held office in 2009, made a donation of $22,850 to the New South Wales National Party?

Senator Ryan —No-one is allowed to make a dollar in Bob’s world.

The PRESIDENT —Senator Ryan! Senator Sherry, you can only answer that part of the question which pertains to the portfolio you are representing.

Senator SHERRY (Minister for Small Business, Minister Assisting on Deregulation and Public Sector Superannuation and Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) —No.

Senator BOB BROWN —I thank the minister for his answer. Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. In the area of coal seam gas and open-cut mining—which is, as he acknowledged, an issue with food-producing farmers in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland—does he think it is proper that former National Party MPs should be engaged in lobbying government against the interests of those farmers or that money should be channelled from such companies? (Time expired)

Senator Joyce —On a point of order on relevance and the factual premise of his question, is he saying that these people still have an involvement in the federal National Party? They do not.

The PRESIDENT —Senator Joyce, there was no point of order. Senator Brown, the question you have just asked purely seeks an opinion of the minister and is out of order.