Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Senator Abetz. I refer to the upcoming expiry on 30 September of the two-year agreement governing port access for bulk wheat exports. I also refer to comments by Liberal Senator Dean Smith that the full deregulation of Australia's wheat export arrangement is perfectly aligned to the government's deregulation and red-tape reduction agenda. Minister, is full deregulation government policy?

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

I think everybody knows that the government's position on all these matters is to provide a practical, common sense approach. Whilst we on this side generally like to approach issues on the basis of having as little red or green tape or regulation around an issue, we fully understand that there is a need for regulation. Therefore, the issue is getting the balance right. That is what the government has sought to do in a whole range of areas, including the one that the honourable senator addresses. And that is what we will continue to do in all our policy endeavours as we try to ensure that the very best outcome is achieved for Australian producers—in this case, wheat—and in other areas, as well. We will seek to draw the proper balance between competing interests and the different concerns that are expressed. Senator Smith has quite rightly expressed a particular approach. But the government's approach is as currently stated and as is currently in place.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I refer to comments by Liberal member Angus Taylor, who said:

We need appropriate regulation of monopoly or near-monopoly uncompetitive port zones as we currently have in NSW.

Minister, is full regulation government policy?

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

The member for Hume has expressed a particular point of view. We on this side do allow our members to actually express a point of view—to advocate, to ventilate particular approaches that they believe are worthy of public consideration.

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left!

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

Because one person has expressed such a view does not mean that it is government policy. Government policy is government policy, and it stands to reason that from time to time there will be colleagues expressing a particular point of view. We saw it in the Labor Party in relation to getting rid of the mining tax. I recall the good former senator Mark Bishop expressing very strong views in relation to that.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on a point of order. While the minister has been giving very worthwhile information, the question was: is full regulation government policy? We would like to have that confirmed, or not, on the record.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister has been directly relevant in relation to the question asked and the preamble.

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

The government's policy is clear, and it is quite appropriate for individuals to express particular views. The member for Hume has done so.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a further supplementary question. When will the government resolve the brawl inside its party room and provide policy certainty for the wheat industry?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister can answer any portion of that question that he wishes to answer.

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

I was wondering where this silly line of questioning was going to end. It really did reach a crescendo of silliness with the senator's assertion that there is any disunity in the coalition party room on these matters. So it is my melancholy duty to advise the senator that there is no such disunity!