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Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Page: 4241

Senator CHRIS EVANS (Western Australia—Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (18:01): I am advised that, as we see it, the additionality test ensures that carbon credits represent an extra tonne of carbon abatement that can be used to offset emissions from an industrial sector, and it underpins the credibility and value of the carbon credits. Under the CFI, project proponents are required to consider natural resource management plans. Regional NRM plans provide a vehicle for communities to provide guidance of the type and location of carbon farming projects that will deliver maximum social and environmental benefits.

Ultimately, the market will determine what projects come forward, and those that have important co-benefits will naturally stack up better than those without. I get the sense that you are trying to bypass that and almost pick which projects, but we think that that is a better way of those projects being identified.