John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Grey, who represents many wheat growers, for this question. Today, with the Deputy Prime Minister and other senior ministers, I met the Executive Chairman and the Acting Managing Director of AWB Ltd to discuss the current tender for wheat in Iraq. I emphasised that the government was not prejudging the outcomes of the Cole inquiry or making any judgments about AWB. I also made it clear that the question of the single desk was a separate issue and not currently under consideration by the Australian government. The government’s principal concern, and I know it is of the member for Grey, is the wellbeing of Australian wheat growers.

The government noted the statements by the Iraqi Grain Board that business relations with AWB would be suspended until the results of the Cole inquiry were known. The government is continuing to make representations to the Iraqi government on access for Australian wheat into the Iraqi market, noting reports that the tender process has been deferred.

Taking advantage of the time available from this deferral, the government will send a delegation to Iraq to discuss the current Iraqi tender. The delegation will leave as soon as possible. The delegation will be led by my colleague the Deputy Prime Minister and trade minister. It will include the Executive Chairman of AWB Ltd, Mr Brendan Stewart, for the very simple reason that AWB holds the wheat in the pool. The delegation will also include representatives of Australian wheat growers.

The delegation’s goal is to protect the interests of Australian wheat growers and the value of the wheat in the Australian pool. The delegation will explore all options to secure the continued access of Australian wheat to this important market. Among these options AWB Ltd has indicated its willingness, on a voluntary basis, not to exercise its veto on this tender if necessary to secure a positive outcome for Australian wheat growers. The Australian government is committed to working with the Australian wheat industry to secure our longstanding markets and the best outcome for Australian wheat growers.

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