Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank my colleagues the member for Mallee and the member for Barker for their contributions. In the electorate of Farrer, both are my neighbours geographically. As always, I am amazed by their knowledge and understanding of the red meat industry. I also thank the member for Capricornia and the member for Lyons for their contributions. I welcome their support for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Bill 2007, but I would like to make just a couple of comments about their remarks. Both claimed there is insufficient focus on support for Australian workers by the red meat industry, and that is simply incorrect. AMPC is a major funder of MINTRAC, the industry training and development body. There is a very strong focus on occupational health and safety research and development.

AMPC funds the Australian Q Fever Register and Q fever research. Q fever is an occupational illness for people involved in the livestock industry and it can be very debilitating. I actually have firsthand experience of it from my time working in the shearing sheds of western Queensland. The government recently invested $9 million, announced in November 2006, to build a new Q fever vaccine manufacturing facility. Organisations such as AMPC, MLA, the Cattle Council and the Sheepmeat Council were united in support for this investment in the world’s only production facility for the Q fever vaccine. The meat industry, through AMPC, is also investing in practical initiatives such as safer bandsaw technology, new and safer cleaning methods et cetera. I just wanted to make that point.

As we know, the red meat industry is a significant contributor to the wellbeing of Australia’s economy, with an annual turnover of around $15 billion a year. It earns nearly $7 billion a year in exports. Marketing and research and development, which are collectively funded by industry members, contribute to industry profitability and competitiveness on global markets. It also underpins the high standing the industry enjoys among our trading partners. The meat processor industry understands the importance of collective funding and since 1998 has supported its funding needs through voluntary contributions. For many years the voluntary contribution system was well supported by the majority of the industry. However, by its nature, a voluntary system allows benefits of collective marketing and research and development to accrue to industry members who did not contribute financially.

The amendments proposed in the bill will ensure the meat processor industry continues to have the capacity to meet the requirements of both domestic and international markets. It will also enable the industry services body to continue to meet joint program obligations and whole-of-industry commitments, as envisaged under the red meat industry memorandum of understanding. The new structural arrangements presented in the bill are the result of nearly three years of discussion between meat processors and consultation with the government.

The provisions are straightforward and follow the precedent set by the restructure of the livestock export industry. Under these new arrangements there will be accountability to the levy payers as members of the company and there will be accountability to the government through the funding contract. The bill also makes provision for the Commonwealth to control who can receive the levy payer information and for what purposes that information can be used. The level of control is similar to that already in place for the dairy industry. It is intended to provide assurance to industry members that the information will be used appropriately.

This bill will continue to give the meat processor industry ownership and control over its marketing and research and development programs. The bill will continue to provide the industry with the capacity to respond effectively and efficiently to current and emerging challenges and to ultimately remain viable and profitable. I commend the bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Message from the Governor-General recommending appropriation announced.

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