Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

And they say, ‘Why nine years ago?’ I will tell you why—because nine years ago he, as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, initiated the import risk assessment on bananas for importation from the Philippines. He released the media release from Coffs Harbour—the same place—where he said:

As is the usual practice, the banana IRA will be conducted … allowing a careful scientific assessment of the quarantine risks as well as opportunities for widespread consultation with all stakeholders.

But that was not enough. Two years later, as minister for agriculture, he again made the comment:

Neither threats of trade retaliation by the Philippines or publicity campaigns by the Australian industry will be taken into account in the decision.

What is more, Biosecurity Australia, as an entity, was instituted and the legislation went through while he was the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. I table the media releases. As far as the process which has led to this is concerned, the Leader of the National Party designed it, initiated it and defended it. And yet today he is wandering around saying, ‘Oh, I wonder how this happened.’ Only in the National Party would you find a leader who actually wants you to believe that he was asleep at the wheel, because at least that is less embarrassing than the truth. Current indications are that no Filipino bananas are likely to come into Australia, but, if any were to come here, they may as well carry the label ‘Grown in the Philippines, brought to you by the Queensland National Party’.

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