Mark Vaile (Lyne, National Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Riverina for her question. The member for Riverina represents an area that produces a lot of prime hard wheat in the state of New South Wales. It goes to exports to many of the markets across the world.

While the Australian Labor Party engage in this blatant politicking around this issue and make themselves out as having now become the best friend of US Wheat Associates—that is what the Australian Labor Party have done; they have become the best friend of US Wheat Associates, who are competitors with Australian wheat growers—we are getting on and looking after the interests of Australian grain growers. Iraq is one of our top five wheat markets and is a key market. It has been a key market for over 50 years. We are going to continue to make every effort to protect our growers’ interests in that market.

See this speech in context