Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator McCarthy. A few years ago sheep farmers had limited access to an Australian manufactured footrot vaccine, called Custom R-Pilus, that was highly effective in reducing and managing footrot, but its use was discontinued by the APVMA. It was also cheaper and much more effective than the single overseas manufactured vaccine now available to Australian farmers to manage this debilitating disease which costs the industry more than $83 million a year. Will the minister please explain why the Australian manufactured vaccine is no longer available to Australian sheep farmers?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Hanson, for the question. I will get some further details specifically on that. I understand that we are talking in relation to the APVMA as an independent regulator that administers a scientifically rigorous, risk based regulatory system for ag and veterinary chemicals. We have confidence that the APVMA decisions are based on the best available science to improve safety outcomes for Australians. I'm certainly happy to get more details in regard to your specific question.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, first supplementary?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I appreciate that you weren't warned about my question before this. One sheep farmer from Victoria has informed me that the overseas footrot vaccine cost her $76,000 in one year, along with approximately $50,000 in labour costs to treat her sheep. I'm also informed that a process to fully register the Australian vaccine is facing significant delays, and that this farmer's pleas to the minister and the Prime Minister have gone unanswered. Will the minister—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, it's time. Minister Wong?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We're happy to give leave to finish the question.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, please finish your question.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just wanted to ask the minister if she would explain the process. It's been delayed, to the detriment of the farmer's profitability and the welfare of Australian sheep.

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, thank you for the question. Obviously, you've given a specific question that I don't have an answer to in regard to that particular farmer, but I am happy to get that from the minister as soon as possible.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, second supplementary?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do appreciate that. But also, considering the untold damage being done to the sheep industry by Labor's ban on live exports, on dubious animal welfare grounds, will the government provide the funding and support necessary to ensure this Australian manufactured vaccine is made fully available to the industry as soon as possible to address the real animal welfare issue?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I certainly reject the premise of the question in terms of our legislation to ban live exports, Senator Hanson. We have done that in absolute consideration of animal welfare across the country. What I will do, though, as I've said, is get the answers to your particular request on the farmer.