Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Doesn’t the Wheat Export Authority have powers to examine all AWB documents relating to wheat sales? Isn’t it the case that the WEA has been investigating incentives and agency facilitation payments by the AWB? Isn’t it also the case that the WEA provides confidential reports on the details of AWB contracts to the minister? Minister, isn’t it the case that the Howard government ministers were receiving a constant stream of advice on AWB’s performance in contracts? Hasn’t the minister turned a blind eye on every piece of advice, every warning, every flashing light? Will you now table those confidential WEA reports?

Peter McGauran (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, is the short answer to your question.

Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Beazley interjecting

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Leader of the Opposition has asked his question.

Peter McGauran (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The WEA has performed its responsibilities pursuant to the act.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why not table the document?

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why not?

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Lilley is warned!

Peter McGauran (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are breathless with excitement that this is some new matter. Since the evidence of Mr Besley, the Chairman of the WEA, to the Senate estimates on 1 November the shadow minister for agriculture has issued six press releases on this issue. He rushes up to the gallery close to deadline time last night and says, ‘Here’s a smoking gun.’ Some journalist, unaware of the administrative oversighting and structures of the Wheat Marketing Act, runs his line. You repudiate him this morning. We have answered your questions fully and the WEA has done the job to the best of their ability.