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

My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Can the minister confirm that, under the present law, wheat growers transfer the ownership of their grain to AWB at the time it is delivered to the company? Can he confirm that AWB charges growers a total of $65 million for selling the wheat, irrespective of the price AWB pays to growers? Can he confirm that, because of the drought, each grower who delivers to AWB will be faced with an increased share of the $65 million bill? Can the minister confirm the statement on Saturday by the Minister for Trade that the government will not act to relieve this burden on growers in the middle of the worst drought in a century?

Peter McGauran (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. With respect to the last part of his question, I will not take at face value his statement regarding my colleague’s own comments. I have met with Western Australian wheat growers as well as their representatives. I have conveyed their views strongly to the new Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Wheat Board, Gordon Davis. He is considering the matters and is fully cognisant of the fact that he must win the confidence and support of Western Australian wheat growers to maintain the national pool.