On Wednesday, 9 July 2026 I attended estimates hearings with the Primary Industries and Resources Committee but was only given the opportunity to ask a question of the Director General of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development in the last minutes of hearings.
You can read our full exchange below or in the official Parliamentary record of proceedings here.
Mr BERKMAN: Director-General, in relation to the $9.8 million over four years that was committed in the 2023 budget to reduce emissions from unexplained land clearing, can you advise how that funding is being spent today, including the number of staff now working on the program, how many audits have been undertaken and how many compliance letters, formal warnings and penalties have been issued?
Mr SPEAKER: That sounds like a question to be taken on notice to me, member for Maiwar. You have one minute to respond, Director-General.
Mr Fraine: In terms of the work that we do around vegetation management, there are a number of functions. Are you referring to the enhanced vegetation management project, member for Maiwar? Have I got that correct?
Mr BERKMAN: There was $9.8 million in the 2023 budget over a four-year period. I could not give you the precise name of the funding stream.
Mr Fraine: If I can just get a nod or a shake of the head from—thank you. The work that we do under the enhanced vegetation management project, EVMP, which is now in its third year, continues to bolster opportunities for meaningful community engagement and support. In terms of activities over 2025-26, there were over 3,300 Veg Hub phone inquiries answered around this activity. Over 2,000 of those have been addressed. Over 80 engagement workshops—
Mr SPEAKER: We have run out of time.
Mr Fraine: Thank you, Speaker.