Andrew Murray (WA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Coonan, the Minister representing the Minister for Trade. Minister, did you see a press release yesterday from the Australian Grain Exporters Association stating that the Wheat Export Authority and AWB International are stonewalling on wheat export permits to Iraq? Did the minister note that members of that association sent bulk wheat export permit applications to WEA two weeks ago but claimed they are yet to receive a constructive response despite numerous follow-ups? What is the government doing to ensure that the WEA and AWB International respond promptly to export permit applications, giving full reasons for their decisions?

Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Link to 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.

Andrew Murray (WA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Minister, I regret that that was not a satisfactory response, so let us try again. Unless this mess is resolved in the short to medium term, is it not necessary to change the enabling legislation urgently, firstly, to require a response with reasons in writing in a designated and reasonably short time and, secondly, shouldn’t the act—

Robert Ray (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Robert Ray interjecting—

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Ray!

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Andrew Murray (WA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Secondly, shouldn’t the law be urgently changed to ensure that the AWB board is obliged not to exercise their veto where they cannot or may not be able to make the export sale on similar terms themselves?

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

I am not sure that I heard all of Senator Murray’s supplementary question—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I think the minister made a strong point there when she said she could not hear the supplementary question. It was because of interjections on my left. I ask you to come to order.

Andrew Murray (WA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I am more than happy to repeat my supplementary question if the minister did not hear it.

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think the minister has indicated that she heard enough of the supplementary question.

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

It is just that if there was some particularly nuanced part of your question that I did not hear, Senator Murray, we can obviously deal with it later, but I think I have got the gist of it. The important point of it is that the Wheat Export Authority is obligated to refer any application to AWB and AWBI must consider those applications. That is part of their legislative requirement, and that is what they are doing.

Andrew Murray (WA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I raise a point of order. The nature of the response clearly indicates that the minister did not hear or understand the question. I ask you therefore whether I should repeat it. Plainly, the minister was answering a question that was not put.

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think the minister has answered the question. You might like to take the matter up with her after question time.