Gary Gray (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you for your observations about Geoscience Australia. Could I ask you to be more specific. You referenced almost $30 million in cuts to Geoscience Australia. You may need to take this on notice, but just how many jobs have been axed in Geoscience Australia? What were the skills that were lost? What work areas have been affected? What is the ongoing program of graduate recruits into Geoscience Australia? These things are important as I know the minister would understand a healthy and vital Geoscience Australia does require consideration of its structures, of its work programs and of its future skill base.

I would also like to ask the minister about the review of the Renewable Energy Target. Minister, we understand that review is taking place chaired by Mr Dick Warburton, a fine Australian and a very significant Australian business leader. I have had the pleasure of meeting with Mr Warburton to discuss that review. But if the minister as the Minister for Energy could advise the House on when we can expect the report of the review on the RET that would be great greatly appreciated. If a date and a time cannot be provided then at the very least give an indication of when we can expect that review to be presented because of the importance of the month of August and the casting of the renewable credit numbers for the next year.

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