Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Assistant Minister for Education and Training) (14:30): I thank Senator Wang for the question and, given the question contains some very specific informational requests, I thank him for the prior warning. As you, and I am sure many other senators, are aware, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Hunt, has stopped the clock on the Watermark coal project to seek further information from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development. This will ensure that the most up-to-date scientific information is utilised for the assessment of the project under our national environmental laws. This follows Minister Hunt taking the step of visiting the area and listening to the concerns of farmers— Senator Cameron: It is the Barnaby bail-out scheme! Senator BIRMINGHAM: You should try listening sometime too, Senator Cameron. Senator Cameron interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my left! You should address your remarks to the chair, Senator Birmingham. Senator BIRMINGHAM: As I was saying, this follows Minister Hunt visiting the area and listening to the concerns of farmers, Indigenous leaders and others—wanting to ensure those concerns are respected and responded to by ensuring we provide the best available scientific information in relation to assessing this project under the national environmental laws. The minister's recent request for additional advice from the IESC in relation to the Watermark project is to ensure we have that most up-to-date scientific information. I am advised that the advice provided by the IESC—and this is directly relevant to your question, Senator Wang—in 2013 did meet the legal requirements for seeking advice under the EPBC Act.