House debates Questions without Notice

Fruit and Vegetable Industry

Tuesday, 9 May 2006 House of Representatives

Peter Andren

Peter Andren Calare, Independent

3:04 pm

My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Minister, can you confirm that your original proposal to exempt supermarkets from the mandatory code of conduct for the fruit and vegetable industry is now to be redrafted? Can you assure the House that Coles, Woolworths and other supermarkets will be included in such a redrafted code, as was indicated to producers, including those in my electorate, by the former Deputy Prime Minister prior to the 2004 federal election?

Peter McGauran

Peter McGauran Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House

I thank the honourable member for his question. The horticultural code of conduct is under consideration by the government, and I am consulting widely with all the stakeholders. The member will be glad to know that the government’s election commitment will be honoured when we have completed our deliberations.