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) (14:53): The intergovernmental agreement does provide significant benefits for Tasmania. It goes on to create assistance for workers and assistance for industry. If you look more broadly at the issues that surround Tasmania and Tasmanian forestry, it is important to consider the substantive issues. In line with the retirement of Gunns's native forest contracts, the Australian government has also agreed to provide up to $45 million in assistance for voluntary exits from public native forest operations affected by harvest, haulage and silviculture contracts. In addition to that, the Gillard government supports—unlike, it seems, those opposite—long-term sustainable investment in rural and regional Australia, including productive native forests in the plantation sector. This diversity and balance is important to the Australian forest industry. Over the last four years the government has delivered on its commitments to the Australian forest industry, which those opposite sometimes miss out on. Senator Colbeck: Mr President, a point of order on relevance: this is clearly not relevant to the question. We all know the details of the process that the government is going through. I am after some specific information about the verification group and the number of coupes that will be required to be logged before the end of December and whether or not the government is going to continue to supply sawmills with logs or compensate them as is drafted in the IGA. It is a very specific question; it is not broad information, as the minister is giving the chamber. Senator Conroy: Mr President, on the point of order: I do not think Senator Ludwig could more clearly be discussing the question that was asked. He has 48 seconds to complete his answer, yet those opposite again attempt to play the game: here is our question and here is the answer we demand you make him give. Senator Ludwig is absolutely discussing the issue. He has 48 seconds to complete his answer and I ask you, Mr President, to dismiss this point of order. The PRESIDENT: Senator Ludwig, I believe you need to come to the question. There are 48 seconds remaining. Senator LUDWIG: An independent verification group was convened by Professor Jonathan West. It is to assess the conservation values of the nominated 572,000 hectares and assess reserve areas compatible with wood supply guarantees to determine the areas of high conservation value forest. This is an important process to go through. It seems those opposite do not want to engage in this process other than to stand on the sideline and say no. That group have started their work and the government looks forward to them working successfully through what is a quite complex process. Where harvesting work has already begun in coupes within the nominated 430,000 hectares, rescheduling will occur as soon as practicable and a list of coupes that will be harvested will be agreed to by the government. (Time expired)