Just check out the email I received from DWEHA.........

Gidday marine bioregional planning stakeholders,

With the calling of the federal election, the Government has assumed what is known as a ‘caretaker’ role which will cease at the time when the election result is clear or, if there is a change of government, when a new government is appointed.

In caretaker role, the business of government continues in relation to ordinary matters of administration. However, the making of major policy decisions or agreement to any major undertakings or contracts that would commit an incoming Government are avoided. This means that under the caretaker conventions, it is not possible for us to progress policy development or decisions in relation to marine bioregional planning and it is not appropriate for us to make commitments that would have implications for the incoming government. As a result, some marine bioregional planning meetings that we had arranged prior to the election being announced may need to be postponed.

I am writing to advise of these arrangements because it had been our intention, as flagged with some of you, to meet with sectoral representatives to provide an update on the marine bioregional planning process during late July and August. We did manage to meet with the National Seafood Industry Alliance just as the election was announced, however meetings with other sectors will now need to be delayed.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.

Regards

Stephen Oxley

First Assistant Secretary

Marine Division