Senator LUDWIG (Queensland—Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Manager of Government Business in the Senate and Minister Assisting the Attorney-General on Queensland Floods Recovery) (14:14): It is clear that industry has been on notice on this issue for some time. My office and I have been talking with industry about how to improve animal welfare outcomes in Indonesia and other markets as well. What the industry representatives and industry bodies together have brought back to my office has never gone far enough or provided us sufficient confidence that they would be able to deal with the live animal export industry and ensure the animal welfare outcomes that we would accept. No-one would accept the animal welfare outcomes that we saw on the ABC Four Corners program. This government has been working closely with industry to ensure that we can continue to have a live animal export industry. It has been working with them not only at the time of the ABC program but post that as well, continuously, to ensure that we can highlight the fact that this industry needs to take responsibility for the animal welfare outcomes in Indonesia. This industry has allowed the self-regulatory approach to continue without the necessary checks and balances that are required. If you look at the actions that I have taken, you see an immediate investigation into the footage and evidence was undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator Brandis: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. Nothing the minister has said is directly relevant to the only issue raised in the question: what consultations were there with the industry about the suspension? Generalities about consultation with the industry about animal welfare are not directly relevant to the only issue: what consultation was there about the suspension? Now the minister is meandering off in another direction which is less relevant still. Senator Chris Evans: On the point of order, Mr President: Minister Ludwig is trying to be helpful, giving fulsome answers and addressing the issues contained in the question. Senator Brandis may be frustrated that he is not getting the answer he wants, but Minister Ludwig is doing his best to make sure the Senate has all the information and he is providing a response to a question. In my submission, there is no point of order. The PRESIDENT: I believe the minister is answering the question. The minister has 20 seconds remaining. Senator LUDWIG: Those opposite do not accept the actions I have taken. I have been clear about this: the live animal export industry will not recommence until we can ensure animal welfare outcomes. Those in the opposition might want to play politics with this, but this is an issue where we have to ensure animal welfare outcomes are taken into account. (Time expired)