Andrew Willcox (Dawson, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I rise today to support the report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture as the deputy chair, the Honourable Rick Wilson, is on leave. The report: Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond is an outstanding report. This report is about strengthening and safeguarding food security in Australia, and what could be more important? Enormous work has gone into this report, and members have worked together right across the political divide to deliver a very solid report that will have longevity. There are recommendations for us to take forward and really provide food and fibre for our nation.

The committee received 188 written submissions from individuals, industry and community groups, and government bodies. The quality of the submissions was simply outstanding. We held 24 public hearings across the length and breadth of the country. We travelled to where it's at. I think that is important. It's a lesson for everybody: get out of the cities, go out into the country areas and have a look at where our food and fibre and our economy are actually driven from. The committee workshopped and agreed to 35 recommendations.

I would like to acknowledge the experience and professionalism of the committee chair, Meryl Swanson, and the deputy chair, Rick Wilson. I personally thank them for the inclusive way that this committee was run and the collaborative approach in developing the report. I would also like to thank all the committee members, all the people who provided written submissions and who hosted us at public hearings.

I acknowledge and thank the inquiry secretary, Dr Bill Pender, and research officer, Mr Ben Vea Vea. He is an outstanding young man who looked after us every step of the way. We were always on time, as was all the transport. Let me tell you, for some of the places we visited, it was no spring picnic to get in and out. Planes were cancelled, it was quite logistically difficult, but everyone in the committee put their shoulders to the wheel. Our chair, Meryl Swanson, drove us hard but we delivered a good result. At one point I was going to write a strongly worded letter to the chair to see if I could get a bit of support, because some of those days we worked 14 or 16 hours. We have delivered a very good report.

I want to thank the committee secretary, Fran Denny. I look forward to speaking to this report in a lot more detail because there's a lot to come from this. There's an enormous amount of work being done. I look forward to speaking in the Federation Chamber to deliver more detail about this very good report. I commend this report to the House.

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