Ian Macfarlane (Groom, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry and Science) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Hinkler not only for his question but also for the hard work he does in his electorate. I know it is appreciated by a wide range of businesses in that electorate and I know that some of those have been consulting him in relation to the food-labelling issue. He has some great brands up there like Austchilli, Farmfresh Fine Foods and Bundaberg Brewed Drinks—of which I may have participated in one or two but, as far as I understand, it is only ginger beer!

The member for Hinkler, along with nearly all members of this House, understands the importance of food labelling and having clear and concise food labelling for the consumers of Australia. This issue has been around longer than I have been in public life, which is approaching 31 years, I have to say. In terms of getting this issue resolved, I asked the member for Grey, who heads up the House of Representatives committee in this area, to conduct an inquiry. I would have thanked the member for Hotham, if she had stayed around long enough to hear it.

See this speech in context