❓ Mr Blayney asks about recent increases in WA's beef exports. The Minister reports significant growth in beef and live cattle exports, attributing it to increased demand and a weaker Australian dollar, while also criticising the previous federal Labor government's impact on the industry.
AnsweredQoN 534Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BEEF
EXPORTS
534. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food:
Given the importance of the beef industry to Western Australia
and to farmers in my electorate, can the minister please update the house on
recent increases in WA's beef exports?
EXPORTS
534. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food:
Given the importance of the beef industry to Western Australia
and to farmers in my electorate, can the minister please update the house on
recent increases in WA's beef exports?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question and his continued
advocacy for farmers in his electorate. I am pleased to report that Western Australia's
beef exports have rebounded over the past three years to reach record levels.
According to the latest industry snapshot from the Department of Agriculture
and Food, between 2012 and 2015 the value of WA beef exports grew 170 per cent,
from $68 million in 2012 to $184 million in 2015. This resurgence from a low in
2012 has been underpinned by a strengthening demand from various countries,
from Asian markets to the United States and others. There is no question that
it has been assisted with the easing of the Australian dollar. The Western Australian
herd now stands at 2.24 million head. Export of live cattle has also increased.
We have seen a 64 per cent increase in value from $154 million in 2015 to $253 million—the
highest value reached in the past decade. It is important that we do not forget
the events that occurred in this state and the impact of the then federal Labor
government on communities particularly in the north and on pastoralists. What
is really interesting is whilst it went on and decimated the cattle and beef
industry in Western Australia at that time—I just heard a little
earlier the Leader of the Opposition talking about the importance of economic
activity and jobs—it actually decimated jobs and economic activity in
rural and regional areas of Western Australia.
Several members interjected.
Mr D.C. NALDER :
They will sit there and argue that it was federal Labor, but let me remind them
—
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the third time. Member for Maylands,
I call you for the first time. Member for Warnbro, I suggest you calm down.
Mr D.C. NALDER : I remind
those opposite, who sit there and say federal Labor brought in that ban, what
its state Labor colleagues did. They did absolutely nothing.
Ms L.L. Baker :
Excuse me! It was me.
Mr D.C. NALDER :
Actually, it was worse. I hear the member for Maylands chirping away. She
actually put a motion in this house to ban live exports forever, which would
have decimated the families up there who run pastoral leases. It would
absolutely have decimated them. She put in this house a motion to ban it.
Ms L.L. Baker interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Maylands, I call you to order for the second time. I want the
minister to speak through the Chair with a quick answer. We are running out of
time.
Mr D.C. NALDER :
This important industry in Western Australian communities creates jobs and
supports many local regional communities. It has a very bright future. We are
seeing an increasing demand for beef right across the globe, particularly in
South East Asia and China. The Minister for State Development and I recently
saw firsthand that China wants to import more beef from Western Australia.
There is a great opportunity. We look forward to supporting it and supporting
jobs in Western Australia.
Ms L.L. Baker interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Maylands, I call you for the third time.
advocacy for farmers in his electorate. I am pleased to report that Western Australia's
beef exports have rebounded over the past three years to reach record levels.
According to the latest industry snapshot from the Department of Agriculture
and Food, between 2012 and 2015 the value of WA beef exports grew 170 per cent,
from $68 million in 2012 to $184 million in 2015. This resurgence from a low in
2012 has been underpinned by a strengthening demand from various countries,
from Asian markets to the United States and others. There is no question that
it has been assisted with the easing of the Australian dollar. The Western Australian
herd now stands at 2.24 million head. Export of live cattle has also increased.
We have seen a 64 per cent increase in value from $154 million in 2015 to $253 million—the
highest value reached in the past decade. It is important that we do not forget
the events that occurred in this state and the impact of the then federal Labor
government on communities particularly in the north and on pastoralists. What
is really interesting is whilst it went on and decimated the cattle and beef
industry in Western Australia at that time—I just heard a little
earlier the Leader of the Opposition talking about the importance of economic
activity and jobs—it actually decimated jobs and economic activity in
rural and regional areas of Western Australia.
Several members interjected.
Mr D.C. NALDER :
They will sit there and argue that it was federal Labor, but let me remind them
—
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the third time. Member for Maylands,
I call you for the first time. Member for Warnbro, I suggest you calm down.
Mr D.C. NALDER : I remind
those opposite, who sit there and say federal Labor brought in that ban, what
its state Labor colleagues did. They did absolutely nothing.
Ms L.L. Baker :
Excuse me! It was me.
Mr D.C. NALDER :
Actually, it was worse. I hear the member for Maylands chirping away. She
actually put a motion in this house to ban live exports forever, which would
have decimated the families up there who run pastoral leases. It would
absolutely have decimated them. She put in this house a motion to ban it.
Ms L.L. Baker interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Maylands, I call you to order for the second time. I want the
minister to speak through the Chair with a quick answer. We are running out of
time.
Mr D.C. NALDER :
This important industry in Western Australian communities creates jobs and
supports many local regional communities. It has a very bright future. We are
seeing an increasing demand for beef right across the globe, particularly in
South East Asia and China. The Minister for State Development and I recently
saw firsthand that China wants to import more beef from Western Australia.
There is a great opportunity. We look forward to supporting it and supporting
jobs in Western Australia.
Ms L.L. Baker interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Maylands, I call you for the third time.
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