Notice given 17 February 2003

1163  Senator O’Brien: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry—

(1) With reference to the Minister’s media release of 19 July 2001 announcing a 3-year project to examine the feasibility of segregating genetically-modified products across their entire production chains: what are the specific stated objectives of this study.

(2) Does the study deal with issues of food safety and food quality; if so, how.

(3) Does the study deal with making sure that products are identified to meet labelling laws and to preserve the identity of products in the market place; if so, how.

(4) How specifically do the objectives of the study announced on 19 July 2001 differ from those of the four case studies announced on 10 February 2003.

1168  Senator O’Brien: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry—With reference to the Minister’s joint statement of 11 February 2003, reference AFFA03/023WTJ, regarding the $5.3 million water saving pilot program in the Murrumbidgee Valley:

(1) What are the specific stated objectives of the pilot program as presented to the Commonwealth by Pratt Water and upon which Commonwealth funding was approved.

(2) Can a copy be provided of the Pratt Water proposal upon which Commonwealth funding was approved; if not, why not.

(3) What is the total budgeted cost of the pilot program.

(4) Which Commonwealth departments are contributing to the funding of the pilot program; and (b) how much will each department contribute.

(5) Which non-government organisations or individuals are contributing to the pilot program and what is their budgeted contribution.

(6) (a) When will the pilot program commence; and (b) when is it due to be completed.

(7) In relation to the joint media statement, which quotes Mr Pratt as saying that his ‘company has contributed significant resources to get the proposal to its current stage of development and is contributing key staff to manage the project’: (a) what is the quantum and exact type of resources Mr Pratt is referring to; (b) what is the number of staff Pratt Water will contribute to the management of this project; and (c) what are the names and qualifications of those staff.

(8) Where exactly in the Murrumbidgee Valley the pilot program will be conducted.

(9) (a) What consultations have been undertaken with residents within the Murrumbidgee Valley; and (b) who will be affected by the pilot program.

(10) If no consultations have yet taken place: (a) when will these consultations take place; and (b) how will these consultations be conducted.