❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses potential sanctions against the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) and their impact on WA farmers, the minister's support for single-desk marketing, and bulk export licenses for Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd (CBH).
AnsweredQoN 863Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to recent allegations against the Australian Wheat Board raised by the Volcker report into the United Nations oil for food program. (1) What actions will the government take to assist Western Australian farmers to market wheat should sanctions against AWB be imposed, as called for by the United States of America? (2) Does the minister continue to support single-desk marketing? (3) Should the Wheat Export Authority issue a bulk export licence to Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd on behalf of Western Australian grain growers for investment in its flour mills in Asia? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
(1) What actions will the government take to assist Western Australian farmers to market wheat should sanctions against AWB be imposed, as called for by the United States of America? (2) Does the minister continue to support single-desk marketing? (3) Should the Wheat Export Authority issue a bulk export licence to Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd on behalf of Western Australian grain growers for investment in its flour mills in Asia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
(2) Does the minister continue to support single-desk marketing? (3) Should the Wheat Export Authority issue a bulk export licence to Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd on behalf of Western Australian grain growers for investment in its flour mills in Asia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
(3) Should the Wheat Export Authority issue a bulk export licence to Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd on behalf of Western Australian grain growers for investment in its flour mills in Asia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
(1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
(2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
(3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
(1) What actions will the government take to assist Western Australian farmers to market wheat should sanctions against AWB be imposed, as called for by the United States of America? (2) Does the minister continue to support single-desk marketing? (3) Should the Wheat Export Authority issue a bulk export licence to Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd on behalf of Western Australian grain growers for investment in its flour mills in Asia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
(2) Does the minister continue to support single-desk marketing? (3) Should the Wheat Export Authority issue a bulk export licence to Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd on behalf of Western Australian grain growers for investment in its flour mills in Asia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
(3) Should the Wheat Export Authority issue a bulk export licence to Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd on behalf of Western Australian grain growers for investment in its flour mills in Asia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
(1) The federal government is calling for either an inquiry or a royal commission into allegations against AWB. The state government will consider appropriate action, depending on the outcome of this investigation. I think the honourable member would understand why I make that qualification. It probably would not be helpful to the conduct of the inquiry established pursuant to a decision of the commonwealth government if the state government were to make a pre-emptive statement prior to that investigation even getting under way. At least one organisation in the United States is calling for the imposition of a sanction on AWB to prevent it from participating in the US grain exchanges, at least until the Australian government investigation is complete. I reiterate that it is only one US organisation, and an organisation of traders with a clear vested interest, as it is in direct competition with both AWB and the Canadian Wheat Board and has long opposed the major national marketers. The proposition for a sanction is hypothetical at this stage and a response cannot be contemplated until the specific nature and potential impact of the action by that organisation is known; indeed, even if it proceeds. (2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
(2) Yes. (3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
(3) The Wheat Export Authority process was established to receive and assess permit applications for bulk wheat exports, and is analogous to the Grains Licensing Authority process in Western Australia. WEA makes decisions within the scope of its enabling legislation. It is for WEA to make operational decisions in respect of all applications, including any it might receive from CBH. However, commercial reality will ultimately determine those outcomes.
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