House debates

Wednesday, 6 September 2006

Fruit and Vegetable Growers

9:01 am

Photo of Gavan O'ConnorGavan O'Connor (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry from being required to:

(1)
confirm to this House that Australian fruit and vegetable growers suffer under a tyranny of poor transparency, accountability and market returns;
(2)
explain to this House the policy basis on which the government made this solemn promise to Australia’s fruit and vegetable growers that it would introduce a mandatory code of conduct within 100 days of election:
(3)
confirm that even though the government made this promise to growers, it has no intention of delivering in full on its commitment;
(4)
explain to this House why he has chosen to break that clear promise to fruit and vegetable growers; and
(5)
apologise to all fruit and vegetable growers for this clear and serious breach of trust.

It has been 605 days since the broken promise—

9:02 am

Photo of Bob BaldwinBob Baldwin (Paterson, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the member be no longer heard.

Question put.

9:11 am

Photo of Julia GillardJulia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | | Hansard source

I second the motion. You raised it in the party room, and you are too gutless to raise it here.

Photo of Brendan NelsonBrendan Nelson (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the member be no longer heard.

Question put.