Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Murray for the question. The matter that Senator Murray raises is a very important issue for the grain growers of Australia. It certainly is the case that this government has been concerned to ensure that the grain growers of Australia are able to take advantage of being able to sell their wheat in appropriate markets. It has been the basis for the visit to Iraq of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Mr Vaile, and others. Through this visit, the efforts of the Deputy Prime Minister and, I might say, Senator Ferris, who accompanied him, we have ensured that Iraq will continue to deal with Australia on an appropriate basis.

The matter of the exports and being able to now put in place appropriate contracts is a matter that is obviously under very close consideration. It is not appropriate for me to pre-empt every nuance of what is going on in these negotiations, except to say that this government is committed to the wheat growers of Australia, and we will ensure that we stand up for them and look after them so they are able to take advantage of appropriate contracts with Iraq.