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

In some respects, I could not agree more with Senator Milne on this matter of public importance on the importation of beef products, because there is a bit of a two-faced approach to this question from the coalition. Having been in this place during the years that my party was in opposition, and having been part of the committee process that examined this matter, I have been party to examining issues on the importation of salmon, apples and pork—those issues which have troubled Australian farmers where there has been an argument put by Australian farmers and their representatives that the importation of those products would pose a risk to their industries because the importation of those products was increasing the risk of the introduction of a particular disease.