"As usual wrong the NEW South Wales farmers fed are against it and a couple of independents so always two sides to the argument"
If the Liberal Party opposes the abolition of Wheat Exports Australia, it will be proof that Nationals maverick Barnaby Joyce is writing the coalition's economic policy, Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese says.
Mr Albanese, the Government's Leader of the House, said wheat deregulation would be debated in Parliament, which resumes next Tuesday, once it dealt with dental reforms and clean energy legislation.
He said WA Liberals, led by Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop, must decide whether to back the State's wheat growers or side with the Nationals.
"It will be really interesting to see whether it is the case that Barnaby Joyce is writing the coalition's economic policy," Mr Albanese said.
He said that was the only explanation if the coalition opposed the move after saying it supported wheat deregulation and after being lobbied so strongly, particularly by wheat farmers in WA, who really wanted the legislation passed.
WA, which exports 90 per cent of its wheat, has benefited from the deregulation of the industry since AWB lost its monopoly over Australia's bulk exports in 2008.
But Eastern States wheat growers, who opposed the end of the single desk, now oppose WEA's abolition, instead wanting it to get new powers of national oversight.
Ms Bishop has asked her WA colleagues to ditch their preference for immediate deregulation of the WEA in favour of a Nationals' plan to "defer" its wind-up for two years, arguing Tony Abbott's leadership depended on it.
But many of her WA colleagues believe WA Nationals MP Tony Crook's decision to side with the Government left them in an untenable position and they are considering whether to cross the floor.
Labor frontbencher Stephen Smith urged the WA Liberals to respect the united view of the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and WA Farmers Federation, which both support the Government's plan.
"Julie Bishop voted for the change in 2008, now she is leading the fight against it," Mr Smith said.
"So while the WA Liberals have previously supported deregulation of the wheat industry, they're now opposed to it to avoid another embarrassing public split with the Federal Nationals who oppose it. "WA Liberals should simply do what's best for WA wheat farmers, as Labor, Tony Crook and Senator Dean Smith are doing."
Press Release John_snooke__small_ BISHOP IN CHECK AS BARNETT SUPPORTS WA WHEAT FARMERS DEREGULATION 2012-09-24
Western Australian wheat farmers are applauding WA Liberal Premier Colin Barnett’s warning to his Federal Liberal counterparts that failing to abolish Wheat Exports Australia will only serve to hurt farmers and say that the Premier’s support should be a clear indication to the Coalition that the nation’s largest wheat exporting state is no longer prepared to be regulated.
“The stance taken by the Premier on this matter clearly shows that the comments made by Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop that there is no united view amongst wheat growers in Western Australia on deregulation is nothing more than political spin in an attempt to appease Eastern States members of the Coalition,” PGA Western Grain Growers Chairman John Snooke said.
“The Premier’s comments, as well as those made by the PGA, the WA Farmers Federation and WA grower owned cooperative CBH clearly show that Western Australia will not tolerate any further delays in having its $2.5billion industry deregulated.”
“The WA wheat industry is united on this issue and Ms Bishop needs to stop listening to those agri-politicians and farmers who are merely the puppets of Eastern States grower groups committed to ensuring that the path to full deregulation will never be achieved and that WA wheat growers will once again be subjected to unnecessary regulatory oversight and monopoly control.”
The wheat export industry is not only the main economic driver for the majority of farmers and regional communities in Western Australia, but is also the State’s fourth largest export commodity, after iron ore, gold and oil and gas - and directly and indirectly employs thousands of West Australians, from truck drivers, railway workers and bin operators in the Wheatbelt; to stevedores and port operators in Fremantle, Albany, Geraldton and Esperance; to grain traders and commodity brokers in St Georges Terrace.”
“The decision by the Federal Liberal Party to delay any action on deregulation of the wheat industry for another two years will force the WA wheat export industry to continue to disproportionately pay the Wheat Export Charge, which is nothing more than a discriminatory tax just as damaging as the Carbon and Mining Taxes,” he said.
Avondale carve it up any way you like, its all about consistancy,or in the case of the liberal wannabes ,lack there of.
"Ms Bishop has asked her WA colleagues to ditch their preference for immediate deregulation of the WEA in favour of a Nationals' plan to "defer" its wind-up for two years, arguing Tony Abbott's leadership depended on it."
Its simple, are the libs pro or con business?
What will two years do?
"will force the WA wheat export industry to continue to disproportionately pay the Wheat Export Charge, which is nothing more than a discriminatory tax just as damaging as the Carbon and Mining Taxes,” he said."
