Tyron Whitten (WA, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is not my first speech. Senator McDonald has pipped me at the post. My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator McCarthy. Your government recently opened a new front on its war on Australian farmers by lifting science based restrictions on United States beef imports without any consultation with our own beef producers. This follows the decimation of our sheep industry with your cruel ban on live exports, most keenly felt in my home state of Western Australia. Minister, why is your government intent on crushing these world-leading livestock industries and the lives of Australian farmers?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question, the premise of which is completely untrue in terms of this government's approach to our agriculture sector. In fact, we have a minister who is very, very adamant about getting out across Australia to work with our farmers and with the agriculture industry and wants to see the support that only we have been able to provide, given the mess the other side had left the industry in.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whitten, first supplementary?

Tyron Whitten (WA, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

After this latest attack on beef producers, the harm caused to sheep farmers and the naked theft of more water from irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin, will the minister please inform the Senate which other rural industries are in the government's crosshairs?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I certainly reject the question outright. As I said in my previous response, our government—in particular our minister—is very much assisting the farmers across Australia.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whitten, second supplementary.

Tyron Whitten (WA, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Food imported into Australia is usually subject to strict labelling requirements so Australians can choose the better, safer, cleaner food produced locally. What measures will your government take to ensure Australians know the true origins of beef imported from the US but sourced from countries with known biosecurity or health risks?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I have said in this answer and previously, we are not compromising on any biosecurity.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, it's not. It comes in line with an assumption that's absolutely incorrect—that we are not doing our jobs. We are. Australia is a trading nation, with one in four jobs relying on trade, and our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this.

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Not the question.

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am referring to the question around beef. Aussie beef has had back-to-back record-breaking exports.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister McCarthy, please resume your seat. Senator Canavan.

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance: the question was clearly aimed at testing requirements for the importation of beef. Speaking about trade does not go to relevance to that question.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Canavan. As I'm sure you will recall, the question also had a preamble, so the minister is being relevant. Minister McCarthy, please continue.

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They just don't want to hear about beef. Last year, it was worth $14 billion, supported by reinstated and improved market access. Exports have increased by 55 per cent since we came to government.