Notice given 2 February 2012

1526  Senator Cormann: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities—With reference to the proposed development of a network of marine parks, (the South-west Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network), in Western Australia:

(1) When will the boundaries proposed by the Commonwealth Government be released to the public and what is the process following their release.

(2) Has the Western Australian Government been consulted in the preparation of the proposed boundaries; if so, what is its position.

 (3) Can the Minister confirm that Australia has more marine areas in sanctuary zones (with no commercial or recreational fishing) than anywhere else in the world.

(4) Can the Minister confirm that, when the current marine planning process is finished, Australia will have more sanctuary zones than the rest of the world combined.

(5) Do the boundaries proposed by the Commonwealth Government include new areas of marine national park near the Abrolhos Islands, the Perth Canyon or other areas off the coast of Western Australia.

(6) Did the proposal of the new marine national park area originate in:

(a) the department;

(b) the Minister’s office; or

(c) a non-government organisation; if so, which organisation(s).

(7) Have any submissions to the Minister or the department been received in regard to the proposed boundaries of the marine national parks; if so, will the submissions be released to the public.

(8) What scientific data was used to establish the proposed boundaries for the marine park areas.

(9) What other advice did the Minister receive in regard to the development of the boundaries and the conservation goals of the proposed reserves.

1527  Senator Bob Brown: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Defence—Does the Royal Australian Navy have an ice-strengthened vessel or ice-breaking vessel in its fleet; if not, are there plans to build or buy such a vessel.

1529  Senator Bob Brown: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs—

(1) What information does the Government have on the Uighur people recently sent to China by the Malaysian Government.

(2) Can the Minister confirm that 3 of the 20 Uighur asylum seekers who fled to Cambodia and were forcibly deported back to China in December 2009 have received lengthy prison terms.

(3) Is the Minister aware of any information concerning the other 17 asylum seekers who were forcibly deported to China in 2009.

1530  Senator Bob Brown: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs—With reference to the answer to question no. 1277, regarding Japanese whaling ships in the Southern Ocean:

(1) Has the Government sought more information from the Japanese Government following reports from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society that the vessel Shonan Maru 2 , which is clearly marked ‘Government of Japan’, had armed guards on board.

(2) Has the Government formally protested to the Japanese Government over the vessel’s entry into the Australian Whale Sanctuary.