Gavan O'Connor (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry from being required to:

(a)

confirm that the existing voluntary code of conduct has failed to protect fruit and vegetable growers from exploitation in the marketplace.

(b)

confirm that in December 1999 a Joint Select Committee of this Parliament chaired by the Member for Cook recommended a mandatory code of conduct. 

(c)

confirm that in 2003 the Government commissioned Mr Neil Buck to review the operation of the existing voluntary code, and that in December 2003 he recommended a mandatory code.

(d)

confirm that on the 1st of October 2004 the Government promised Australian fruit and vegetable growers a mandatory code of conduct for their industry.

(e)

Confirm that on the 10th of November 2005 the Minister told this house that, and I quote, “Before very much longer the government will be announcing the mandatory horticulture code of conduct.”

(f)

apologise to all fruit and vegetable growers for his failure to deliver the mandatory code of conduct as promised.

This is a betrayal of fruit and vegetable growers of this nation. I cannot believe the deceit.

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