Government tries to fend off Angus Taylor inquiry with lobby group letter

Minister says evidence proves he was helping 'constituents' when he met officials about land-clearing controversy linked to his investments

The government has attempted to fend off a formal inquiry into controversial meetings between Angus Taylor and the environment department over endangered grasslands by producing a letter that purports to show the minister was acting in the interests of his constituents and not himself.

But the letter, which was said to have come from a concerned farmer, was actually from a lobby group, the NSW Farmers Association, and was written nearly six months after the meetings were held.