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) (14:22): I literally could not hear the question over the noise from those opposite. The PRESIDENT: Senator Bob Brown, the minister has indicated that he could not hear your question. Could you come a bit closer to the microphone and repeat the question? Senator BOB BROWN: I will, but since I am not going to shout, the— The PRESIDENT: I am not asking you to shout, Senator Bob Brown. If there is silence, it will assist Senator Brown in asking his question. Everyone is entitled, as you know, to be heard in silence. An honourable senator: I can't hear Senator Brown either. Senator BOB BROWN: The question— An opposition senator: He's mumbling! An opposition senator: I'm having trouble hearing him! The PRESIDENT: Reset the clock so that Senator Brown can ask his question. Give the courtesy that is required of all senators in this place. Senator Brown. Senator BOB BROWN: My question to the minister was whether Ta Ann was requiring an extra 22,000 hectares of high-conservation-value forest be taken out of conservation and handed across to it at this stage of the agreement and, if not, what the situation is relating to Ta Ann at this stage of the forest process talks. Senator LUDWIG: As I see it, Mr President, Senator Brown is asking me what part of the agreement the negotiations are up to in relation to Ta Ann and whether or not a particular— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ludwig, Senator Bob Brown is on his feet. Senator Bob Brown. Senator Bob Brown: Mr President, at this end of the chamber it is impossible to hear that answer due to the shouting out from the National Party and Liberal Party senators on my right. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: When there is silence, Senator Ludwig will continue. Senator LUDWIG: As I understand the question, it is asking for me to comment on or provide an answer in relation to where the state of the parties' negotiations are in relation to Ta Ann. I am not able to provide that. I am not sitting around the table doing the negotiations. What I can do, if that is accurate, is take that part of the question on notice and find out whether or not my department can provide any information about where the particular parties are up to in relation to the negotiations over the particular coupes and particular areas. Outside of that, I would encourage all of the parties to actually come to an agreement, because until such time as the parties do come to an agreement there is no agreement; there is no— (Time expired)