Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Hansard source

I should remind the Senate that Senator Dastyari chaired this inquiry, which I initiated, and it was unanimously endorsed, as per the recommendations. It is all well and good for the Labor Party to distance themselves from the report now, but it was endorsed by their chairman. The second point I would like to make is that this report and the recommendations arising from it have actually travelled towards the cabinet. It was taken there by some people. In fact, the meat industry themselves were informed that there was a resolution on the books. But, unfortunately, this cabinet has squibbed it—they have squibbed finding a resolution and they have kicked it into the long grass. This is an indictment upon the process, because they are looking for certainty in the meat industry. It is about time they reported on it. It has been far too long, and I think Senator Hanson is quite right to bring it to the attention of this chamber again.