Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Sterle for his continued interest from the West in the deregulation of the wheat industry. In answering this question let us put some facts on the table which those opposite seem to have ignored. The Howard government started the transition to a deregulated wheat export industry in 2006. This was supported by Labor in opposition. The industry has been well prepared for this transition. In 2008 the Liberal Party supported the final steps in the deregulation of the wheat industry and Labor has outlined since then a plan to remove the last elements of administrative regulation. In two years time, with the passage of the bill and the implementation of voluntary code, the wheat industry will be fully deregulated. This is the position that the Labor government put forward in 2008 and the position that those opposite supported then.

But those opposite seem to have forgotten what they said in 2008. Those opposite are putting forward the view that the WEA needs to remain to continue to perform the functions that it has never had. The coalition has repeatedly suggested that the WEA assess quality of wheat—false. The WEA has never assessed quality of wheat. These are commercial arrangements between commercial entities. Those opposite have declared that the bill cannot pass unless the WEA's oversight of competition remains. Again, this is false. The WEA has never had oversight of competition. This is and will remain the responsibility of the ACCC.

The coalition has also asked that the WEA remain to provide market information—again, false; the WEA does not provide market information nor has it ever. It is currently provided by commercial arrangements and entities that are in the marketplace. The Liberals who supported deregulation have been led down the garden path— (Time expired)