Senator Conroy: The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question: (1) and (2) The memorandum of understanding is being negotiated by the Department of Finance and Deregulation on behalf of the Special Minister of State. These questions should be addressed to that portfolio. (3) Any proposal to mine uranium would need to be referred under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Any such proposal would be carefully assessed for its likely impacts, including on national heritage values. (4) Paladin Energy Ltd has not referred a mining proposal under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 at this stage. Accordingly, the Minister has not provided advice to the Minister for Resources and Energy relating to such a proposal.