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MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

Senator the Hon. George Brandis (Chair) (Queensland)
Senator Jacinta Collins (Deputy Chair) (Victoria)
Senator Don Farrell (South Australia)
Senator the Hon. David Johnston (Western Australia)
Senator the Hon. Jan McLucas (Queensland)
Senator Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania)
Senator Marise Payne (New South Wales)

The Senate
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Telephone: (02) 6277 3360
Facsimile: (02) 6277 3199
E-mail: Priv.sen@aph.gov.au
Internet: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_privileges

Report

1. On 12 October 2009 the President of the Senate, Senator the Hon. John Hogg, received a submission from Mr Richard Stanton, seeking redress under the resolution of the Senate of 25 February 1988 relating to the protection of persons referred to in the Senate (Privilege Resolution 5).
2. The submission referred to comments made by Senator Milne in the Senate on 10 September 2009. The President, having accepted the submission as a submission for the purposes of the resolution, referred it to the Committee of Privileges on 16 October 2007.
3. The committee met in private session on 22 October 2009 and, pursuant to paragraph (3) of Privilege Resolution 5, decided to consider the submission. The response, which the committee now recommends for incorporation in Hansard, has been agreed to by Mr Stanton and the committee in accordance with Resolution 5(7)(b).
4. The committee draws attention to paragraph (6) of the resolution which requires that, in considering a submission under this resolution and reporting to the Senate, the committee shall not consider or judge the truth of any statements made in the Senate or of the submission.
5. The committee recommends:

That a response by Mr Richard Stanton in the terms specified at Appendix One, be incorporated in Hansard.

George Brandis
Chair

Appendix One

Response by Mr Richard Stanton
Pursuant to Resolution 5(7)(b) of the Senate of 25 February 1988 

In accordance with Standing Order of the Senate 5(1) I wish to claim that I have been adversely affected in reputation as a result of being referred to by name in the Senate on 10th  September 2009.

Senator Milne made reference to myself and others and repeated views expressed by Dr Judith Adjani in a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services Inquiry into Agribusiness Managed Investment Schemes. Senator Milne implied that I have engaged in inappropriate, unprofessional or even corrupt activity or have somehow misused my position in some way.

I reject any such implication and request that the Senate take the appropriate action to correct the record.

I have worked in the forestry sector for some 20 years. I have always worked with the broad objective of furthering the interests of Australian forestry and the forest products industry to the benefit of the Australian environment, economy and the well being of those who depend on the forests and the industry. I have never in anyway concealed the nature of my employment, my role or my objectives. I have behaved appropriately and professionally in my role as a public servant (from 1990-1998 with the Forestry Commission of NSW) and as an industry association executive (from 1998 to the present).

I hold a Bachelor of Science (Forestry) Honours degree from the Australian National University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Technology Sydney.

My background is in forestry, wood products and paper industry policy. I have substantial industry association experience with A3P – the Australian Plantation Products and Paper Industry Council (2004-present), the Australian Paper Industry Council (2003-2004), the Plantation Timber Association of Australia (2001-2003), the National Association of Forest Industries (1998-2001) and as the National Coordinator for the Plantations 2020 Vision (1997-1998).

I have also worked in a number of policy development roles with the Commonwealth and NSW Governments including: Executive Officer to the Managing Director State Forests of NSW (1994-1996), policy officer with the Forests Division, Commonwealth Department of Primary Industries and Energy (1997) and Research Officer and Community Liaison Forester with the Forestry Commission of NSW (1990-1994).

For further information, contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committee of Privileges
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone:	+61 2 6277 3360
Fax:	+61 2 6277 3199
Email:	Priv.sen@aph.gov.au

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