House debates Questions without Notice
Wheat Export Authority
Kim Beazley Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:54 pm
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Doesn’t the Wheat Export Authority have powers to examine all AWB documents relating to wheat sales? Isn’t it the case that the WEA has been investigating incentives and agency facilitation payments by the AWB? Isn’t it also the case that the WEA provides confidential reports on the details of AWB contracts to the minister? Minister, isn’t it the case that the Howard government ministers were receiving a constant stream of advice on AWB’s performance in contracts? Hasn’t the minister turned a blind eye on every piece of advice, every warning, every flashing light? Will you now table those confidential WEA reports?
Peter McGauran Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House
No, is the short answer to your question.
Kim Beazley Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Mr Beazley interjecting
David Hawker Speaker
Order! The Leader of the Opposition has asked his question.
Peter McGauran Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House
The WEA has performed its responsibilities pursuant to the act.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House
Why not table the document?
Peter McGauran Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House
You are breathless with excitement that this is some new matter. Since the evidence of Mr Besley, the Chairman of the WEA, to the Senate estimates on 1 November the shadow minister for agriculture has issued six press releases on this issue. He rushes up to the gallery close to deadline time last night and says, ‘Here’s a smoking gun.’ Some journalist, unaware of the administrative oversighting and structures of the Wheat Marketing Act, runs his line. You repudiate him this morning. We have answered your questions fully and the WEA has done the job to the best of their ability.