Senator CONROY (Victoria—Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity) (14:24): In December 2012 the Prime Minister advised COAG that negotiations would not be progressed, given the significant challenges that emerged in developing agreements. COAG committed to continue to work to streamline environmental regulation that delivers strong environmental outcomes and better conditions for business. The government remains committed to delivering an improved system that protects the environment and is more efficient, including by improving administrative practice and working with states and territories to improve assessment, bilateral agreement outcomes and to increase the use of strategic assessments. I, on behalf of Minister Burke, just reject utterly the premise on which you have underpinned your questions.