Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Trade and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Has the government received any warnings about the adequacy of its quarantine regime in preventing the entry of equine influenza into Australia?

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not directly aware of that. I would not, in the normal course of events, have that information across my desk on a daily basis. I will talk to my colleague and, if there is anything that I can advise the House of, I would be very happy to do so. This is a serious matter and I have been asked a question about it. I know that the honourable member has a keen interest in these matters, and that is why he has asked me the question. We have taken this issue very seriously.

I do want to take this opportunity to congratulate the minister on the way he has handled a difficult issue. He understands the racing industry certainly better than I do and better than, I think, many, but not all, members. I think the member for O’Connor might know a little bit more about the racing industry than most, and he brings all the colour and flair of the racing industry to his contribution in parliament. Seriously, this equine flu outbreak is a very big challenge to a wonderful industry. I am delighted that the Australian government, the Commonwealth government, has been able to provide a very big package of help to the industry. There are many—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Have you finished? You asked me the question. I thought you were interested in the horse-racing industry. Your colleague asked me a question, and all you can do is natter away to your mate the Leader of the Opposition.

Lindsay Tanner (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Tanner interjecting

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

The member for Melbourne!

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No—I do. I actually take this issue quite seriously—I do—far more seriously than you do. I think it is quite important to tens of thousands of people. We have brought in not only an emergency relief package but also a very significant financial package to help the industry. I have to say that I am extremely disappointed that the New South Wales and Queensland governments, both of which collect hundreds of millions of dollars a year in gambling taxes, have not seen fit to provide any real assistance to the battlers in this industry.