Mr Rundle questions the Premier on the WA sheep industry crisis, urging intervention with the federal Agriculture Minister. The Premier dismisses the link to future federal policy, attributing the issue to market fluctuations and promising support.

AnsweredQoN 669Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 September 2023
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

SHEEP INDUSTRY
669. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Respectfully, the Premier is
way off the track. Will he get on the phone to the federal Minister for
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and explain the dire situation for WA sheep
producers and heed the opposition's calls to engage in crisis talks and
do something as Premier to influence the federal minister?

AnswerView source ↗

The member's proposition that this is somehow linked
to a policy process in the federal government that may or may not result in a decision
that may or may not take place until 2026 or 2027 is absolute complete and
utter nonsense. This is about the fluctuations in the price of a particular
farming product. We empathise and sympathise, and we understand that that is
putting pressure on farmers, and we will work with the farming community and
the industry, as we work with all industries, to make sure that we understand
the dimensions and the impact of those fluctuations
and, where appropriate, provide support. But to come in here and suggest that
somehow the fluctuations of a market are somehow impacted by something
that may or may not take place in three or four years' time is complete
nonsense.

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