Ms O’CONNOR question to MINISTER for PARKS and ENVIRONMENT, Mr DUIGAN
Could you please explain who the environmental organisation you were referring to is, when you answer this coming question? In your previous answer, you referred us to the Wild Drake website. I need to let you know, minister: there is no such thing. There is a Halls Island Access Program website, which was crafted just this month. So, you might want to check that advice that you were given.
My colleague in the other place requested that you table all documents and communications relating to this matter, so Tasmanians – the people who have the hugest stake in protected areas – can understand what is going on without fear of breaking any laws. That is, going to a place they have enjoyed for generations, now having to ask Mr Hackett for permission to go. Will you do that today? Will you table the papers, or come in here one day this week and table the papers that were requested by Ms Badger in the interest of transparency? And do not forget to tell us who that environmental organisation was.
ANSWER
Mr President, I will seek some advice.
In terms of the wilderness group to whom I referred in my first answer, I believe there are one or potentially more environmental groups who commenced the winding-up application with the liquidator. So, my understanding is – and this would be a matter for the liquidator to provide you with the detail of who those entities are – but there is still some information outstanding, as I understand it. But again, a matter for the liquidator. Regarding requests made in the other place –
Ms O’Connor – I mean, if you are going to table them in the other place, and are committed to doing that, that is terrific.
Mr DUIGAN – No, no, no. Hang on, thank you. I will give you an answer.
Ms O’Connor – I am waiting.
Mr DUIGAN – Well, it is very difficult to do it when you are just speaking over the top of me.
Ms O’Connor – I was not.
Members – You were.
Mr DUIGAN – There was a request in the other place, and reflected in Hansard, was for my office to provide the new deed of variation, the new lease, or whatever the document is that extends that lease. The document in relation to the current lease extension document was provided to the Office of the Greens on 17 October 2024.
There was a further letter from the Greens on 18 October, which is a new request to the one that was provided in parliament. The new request is for some further documents, and I believe they are available through the normal RTI application, but I have certainly provided the documents I was asked to provide.
Ms O’Connor – My information is that you have not, so we had better check that.
Ms Forrest – An environmental organisation?
Mr DUIGAN – The environmental organisation, a matter for the liquidator. As I have explained. Thank you.
