Frydenberg defends decision to query if he had power to weaken grasslands protections

Former environment minister says Angus Taylor made inquiries on behalf of farmers in his electorate

Josh Frydenberg has defended a decision when he was environment minister to query whether he had the power to water down federal protections for critically endangered grasslands, and establish if any change had to be published, saying he was just investigating the process.

The Senate this week passed a Greens motion forcing the government to explain the conduct of two of its senior ministers - Angus Taylor and Frydenberg - in relation to critically endangered grasslands at the centre of an investigation involving companies part-owned by Taylor.