Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—Australian farmers are without doubt the most innovative in the world. I may have to argue with some of the members here today, but I think the farmers of O'Connor are probably the leaders in innovation, whether they be on the south coast from Bremer Bay to Esperance or in the marginal farming areas in the eastern part of the electorate or whether they be the amazing horticulturalists in Manjimup—they all do an amazing job of adapting to the environment and the markets, and I applaud them for that.

With the opening of new markets in South-East Asia I believe the biggest challenge for agriculture is going to be supplying enough product and adapting our marketing and production methods to meet those new markets. I want to commend this report to everybody in my electorate involved in agriculture. I ask them to read it. There are 16 very worthwhile, very sensible recommendations, and I think it is a major contribution to agricultural innovation across my electorate.

I want to take the opportunity to thank the committee, particularly the chair, the member for Grey, the deputy chair, the member for Hotham, and all the members who took part. I think everyone was very engaged in the inquiry. It is a very interesting report, and I very much enjoyed being part of it. I want to take the opportunity to thank the committee, particularly the chair, the member for Grey, and the deputy chair, the member for Hotham; and all the members who took part. I think everyone was very engaged in it. It was a very interesting inquiry, and I very much enjoyed being part of it. Also to those people who came and gave evidence, the individuals and the organisations: it was a big effort with a lot of travel involved, so thank you very much to them. And finally, of course, to the secretariat—Anthony and his team, who are here in the House today—thank you very much for your hard work

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