Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Transport) Share this | Hansard source

The interjection apparently is that the NFF opposes this proposal. Frankly, it is interesting if that is the case, and no such indication has been drawn to our attention. If it is the case one wonders why the NFF opposes a proposal by a constituent part of that organisation and a very important one. I will be interested to hear from the National Farmers Federation—and I will be interested to hear it very publicly if that is the case, as suggested by Senator Heffernan—why they would oppose an investigation into quarantine when they have had many concerns about the quarantine system in this country and have submitted to inquiries a great many proposals critical of the current Biosecurity and AQIS system. It will be very interesting if we are going to get some bush law interpretation of a view about a particular proposal, as distinct from a proposal which is in line with the resolution of the New South Wales Farmers Association.