Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

If only the Leader of the Nationals had read the release yesterday, he would know that WEMA is being wound up.

During consultation, concern was raised as to whether the changes would have an impact on the willingness of the banks to lend money to growers. To that end, I have met with the Australian Bankers Association, who have confirmed that the marketing changes will have no detrimental impact on growers obtaining finance.

As part of the reform process I have established an industry expert group to advise me on the provision of industry good functions under the new arrangements. Some of these functions were previously provided by AWB Ltd. The industry expert group is actually issuing its discussion paper today.

I am pleased to inform the House that yesterday our colleagues in the other place agreed to refer the bill to the Senate rural and regional affairs and transport committee for inquiry.

I understand the committee is working to be on the road consulting with wheat growers from 25 March.

At the request of Senator Scullion, the shadow minister, the inquiry has been extended by a further two weeks, to report back by 24 April.

I understand the committee is planning to travel to every wheat-growing state during the consultation period.

I urge all members to support the bills when they are introduced into the House. If they do not pass through parliament in time for a 1 July commencement date then growers will be faced with enormous uncertainty.

I can confirm that Labor members in this place will be voting to support the passage of this important legislation.

The opposition needs to clearly understand that if we do not change the legislation which the previous government have left us with, there will be no protection for growers from the possibility of anticompetitive behaviour, and there will be no protection for growers in the form of a probity test.

Growers need the certainty of knowing that the buyers of their wheat have the reputation and financial backing to pay for their crop. That certainty can be delivered today by the opposition declaring its support for these changes.

The opposition failed to deliver this reform in government. Should they continue to frustrate this reform from opposition then they must be prepared to stand up and accept the responsibility for the consequent impact to growers and their families.

The Australian wheat industry has a positive future under our proposed reforms but not under the existing legislation. It is imperative that these bills, once introduced, be passed by the parliament without delay—an imperative that both sides of politics today provide growers with certainty.

I ask leave of the House to move a motion to allow the member for Wide Bay to speak for 14 minutes.

Leave granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent Mr Truss speaking for a period not exceeding 14 minutes.

Question agreed to.

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