Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Hansard source

The fact that we are debating here today these rushed amendments, in the Wheat Marketing Amendment Bill 2006, to the Wheat Marketing Act is a clear admission of failure by the Howard government to properly manage Australia’s export wheat marketing arrangements in the interests of growers and of the nation. Until now, the single desk for the marketing of our wheat had stood the test of time and had served growers well for more than 60 years. A decade ago the Australian Wheat Board was seen as an organisation with a first-class international reputation that operated with integrity and delivered Australian farmers a premium return for their product. That reputation now stands in tatters. Commissioner Cole has shone a spotlight on the AWB and has revealed a corrupt corporate culture characterised by excess and arrogance. It is a culture that has cost the taxpayer $300 million—$300 million paid in bribes to Saddam Hussein—

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