Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Pursuant to order, I present the report of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee on the future of beekeeping and pollination service industries in Australia, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the committee.

Ordered that the report be printed.

I move:

That the Senate take note of the report.

I will not take much of the Senate's time as there is a lot of business on at the moment, but I want to quickly acknowledge the hard work of my fellow committee members—Senator Gallagher, Senator Macdonald, Senator Whish-Wilson, Senator Ruston and Senator Xenophon. If I have missed anyone, I do apologise—there are so many references going on through the committee.

I want to say to the beekeeping industry and the pollination industry out there that we are very, very mindful of the importance of the health of Australia's bee industry not only for honey but also for broader agriculture and horticulture. Three previous inquiries have been held—all House of Representatives inquiries: one in February 2007, one in June 2008 and then one in August 2009. I hope we have given the beekeeping industry and the pollination industry some comfort that we certainly do take their issues seriously. There are no fewer than some 10 recommendations that will be out there for everyone to read and dissect. I thank the submitters and of course the witnesses at those hearings and I wish them all very well. Pleasant reading. No doubt the phone will melt.