Jim Turnour (Leichhardt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

And the grape industry. The import risk assessment analysis was commenced in 2000, an issues paper was released in May 2001, and three draft reports were released between 2002 and 2007. On 3 July 2000, Warren Truss stated that the IRA would allow for a ‘careful scientific assessment of quarantine risks as well as opportunities for widespread consultation with all stakeholders’. This is the Leader of the National Party today. This is what he was saying back in 2000, which is quite different from what we are hearing from the opposition benches today.

On 28 March 2002, Mr Truss stated that the IRA would be a ‘rigorous one based solely on sound science’ and that ‘neither threats of trade retaliation by the Philippines or publicity campaigns by the Australian industry will be taken into account in the decision’. Following the change of government this process, which was already underway, was inherited by the current government. So when they were in government they were talking about taking a scientifically based approach and working through the quarantine processes. In opposition they are grandstanding on an issue for cheap political point-scoring. That is the reality of what they are doing here tonight. They are not dealing seriously with this issue, a really important issue. They are seeking to grandstand and to generate some votes in their supposed ‘heartland’, but they do not have any heartland up in North Queensland anymore.

A draft final report was provided to the Eminent Scientists Group in mid 2008, and the final report was published in November 2008. It was then subject to an appeal period before being provided to the Director of Quarantine to consider the making of a policy determination.

In line with Biosecurity Australia’s final import risk assessment report, issued in November 2008, the Philippines will be required to demonstrate to Australia’s satisfaction that the risk management measures set out in the determination can be achieved under commercial conditions on an ongoing basis before any trade can commence. Bananas from the Philippines will be approved for importation to Australia only if the Philippines can demonstrate that they can implement Australia’s required quarantine measures. The measures are designed to limit the risk of pest and disease entry to a very low level, consistent with the Australian appropriate level of protection. We have raised the bar very, very high. I do not want to see banana imports into Australia but, like I said, we export beef, wheat, wool and other things. We are arguing for the opening up of trade in other countries. We cannot simply say no to banana imports from the Philippines. We need to base our quarantine policy on solid science, and that is what the government have sought to do with our import risk assessment and the decisions that we will make about whether bananas can come into this country.

Last Friday, I met Mark Nucifora, the Chairman of the Innisfail Banana Growers Association. When we won government I facilitated meetings between Minister Burke and the banana industry—with people like Patrick Leahy, the immediate past president of the Australian Banana Growers Council; Nicky Singh, the President of the Australian Banana Growers Council; Cameron Mackay, vice-president of the Banana Growers Council; and Len Collins, the imports committee chairman.

So I have been talking to the banana industry. I understand how important it is. My door is open and I am keen to talk to them about further issues and concerns they have got. But I will take a scientific based approach to this—I will not seek to politically grandstand on this issue as the opposition have done tonight in bringing this motion on. The reality is that they started this import risk assessment—they started this process. The Rudd government have taken it over. We have raised the bar in terms of the import risk assessment. We have made a very difficult decision. I do not believe that we will see banana imports coming into this country. It was their IRA. We are getting on with the job of supporting rural communities in electorates like mine.

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