Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Johnston for his question and also acknowledge his very keen interest in ensuring that Australian wheat growers, particularly those from his home state of Western Australia, some of whom are fortunate enough to have a crop this year, are not disadvantaged by the fallout from the Cole inquiry. The government has moved quickly and expeditiously to remove the uncertainty facing our wheat growers following the handing down of Commissioner Cole’s report late last month.

I can inform the Senate that the government will expeditiously introduce the necessary legislation tomorrow to remove AWB’s veto power over wheat exports for a period of six months. In the current climate the government does not deem it appropriate for AWB to retain this veto power. For the duration of that period this veto power will instead be vested in my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr McGauran.

This will achieve two goals. Firstly, it will enable wheat growers, particularly those in Western Australia, to export their wheat other than through the AWB with the approval, of course, of Minister McGauran. Secondly, the six-month period will allow the government an appropriate period of time to fully consider the long-term future of AWB’s management of the national wheat pool. This consideration will be done in lock step with the wheat growers of this country to ensure that the final decision we arrive at as a government is the consensus of both government and growers.

We all know that Australia’s farmers are doing it tough at the moment. The drought has impacted very heavily on most of this nation’s wheat crop. The government did not consider it appropriate that on top of this terrible drought wheat growers be dealt a double blow due to the AWB affair. It is important to put in place an interim arrangement for the export of wheat, and I am confident that the government’s proposal will meet with the approval of the vast majority of Australian wheat growers. For this reason I urge all members of this place to support the enacting legislation when it comes before us for our consideration. Australian wheat growers cannot afford to wait.

In summary, it is not the government’s intention that the veto remain with the government in the long term, and we emphasise that these changes are not intended to pre-empt or predetermine any policy considerations by the government. The single desk is a longstanding policy and it is important that full consideration be given to all perspectives to find the best solution for Australia’s wheat growers.