Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

Can I clear up for the Leader of the Palmer United Party that it is not the government per se that determines whether a risk is appropriate or not; an independent risk assessment is made by scientifically qualified officials who make that determination. As I understand it, the final import risk assessment for fresh ginger from Fiji was released in January 2013—in fact, under the previous government—and a work plan was subsequently agreed with Fiji and the Department of Agriculture. I am further informed that the Department of Agriculture will inspect all consignments of ginger, and departmental officers will inspect a 600-unit sample of the ginger on arrival to ensure that no pests, diseases or soil are present. With those sorts of safeguards in place, the scientific advice is that the guarantees are in place. (Time expired)