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

I move:

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

(1)

confirm that fruit and vegetable growers currently have to sell their product through a market system that often lacks transparency and contractual certainty;

(2)

confirm to this House that on 1 October 2004, prior to the last election, the Government promised Australian fruit and vegetable growers a mandatory code of conduct for their industry;

(3)

confirm that the Government has already failed to meet its self imposed 100 day deadline for delivering on this promise;

(4)

explain to this House why he has failed to keep the Government’s clear promise to fruit and vegetable growers; and

(5)

apologise to all fruit and vegetable growers for his failure to come into this House earlier today to vote on a motion relating to this important area within his portfolio responsibilities.

Mr Deputy Speaker, I want the minister to come into this House and vote on this motion.

Pat Farmer (Macarthur, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, Science and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the member be no longer heard.

Question put.

Warren Snowdon (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia and Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I second the motion. Who is paying the ransom? Why won’t you protect the interests of Australian fruit and vegetable growers, you coward—

Pat Farmer (Macarthur, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, Science and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think we need either to get an ambulance or a nurse here or to shut down the member opposite before he has a heart attack. I move:

That the member be no longer heard.

Question put.