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

I thank Senator Sterle for the supplementary question. This morning we heard from the opposition leader about wheat deregulation recommendations by the Productivity Commission. He said, 'We support deregulation but there's got to be a managed transition.' He went on to say there are three very important issues that need to be properly addressed by the industry and the government before deregulation can take place—that is, the issue of access to ports, the issue of market information and the issue of quality control. None of those matters is performed by the WEA. The Mr No of Australian politics cannot support an amendment that deregulates a market unless he can agree with the National Party demands for more regulation! That is the position we are going to end up with. It is a disgrace that the Liberals cannot control the National Party to ensure that we can have a deregulated labour market. These are fundamental issues. The doormats have got one victory up. They have got a victory on more regulation in the wheat industry— (Time expired)