❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the federal government's suspension of live cattle trade to Indonesia and its impact on WA's agriculture and international relations. The Minister reports on a fact-finding trip to Indonesia, highlighting concerns about damaged relationships and food security.
AnsweredQoN 394Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
INDONESIAN ABATTOIRS — LIVE CATTLE TRADE suspension
A fortnight ago the federal government announced an immediate suspension of the live cattle trade to Indonesia in response to the images of cruelty shown on ABC’s Four Corners program; a decision that was made without consultation with this state or, indeed, the Republic of Indonesia. Following his visit to Indonesia, will the minister please update the house on how this decision has been received in Indonesia and what needs to be done for that trade to resume? A member interjected: It is good to have you back. Mr D.T. REDMAN
A fortnight ago the federal government announced an immediate suspension of the live cattle trade to Indonesia in response to the images of cruelty shown on ABC’s Four Corners program; a decision that was made without consultation with this state or, indeed, the Republic of Indonesia. Following his visit to Indonesia, will the minister please update the house on how this decision has been received in Indonesia and what needs to be done for that trade to resume? A member interjected: It is good to have you back. Mr D.T. REDMAN
AnswerView source ↗
It is good to be back, too. Before I respond to the member for Geraldton’s question I would like, on behalf of the Deputy Premier, to make mention of the presence of Falcon Primary School students in the public gallery. Mr Speaker, it is great to see the young people from Falcon Primary School here. I thank the member for Geraldton for his question. Certainly, this decision, made by the federal government two weeks ago, has had and will continue to have one of the most significant impacts on agriculture in Western Australia that has occurred for some time. The decision was taken without any consultation with the Western Australian government—one of the states most impacted by the decision. The decision was also taken without any consultation with the Indonesian government. Clearly, on an international scale, that is significant to a government that relies on imports to feed its people. The impact is therefore significant on both the state’s economy and international relations. I went to Indonesia on a fact-finding trip and met with some very senior government officials; namely, the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Mari Pangestu, and her vice-minister. I also met with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Ir. H. Suswono and the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty. Besides meeting with high level government officials, I had the chance to meet with a range of industry people. A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
A member interjected: It is good to have you back. Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: It is good to be back, too. Before I respond to the member for Geraldton’s question I would like, on behalf of the Deputy Premier, to make mention of the presence of Falcon Primary School students in the public gallery. Mr Speaker, it is great to see the young people from Falcon Primary School here. I thank the member for Geraldton for his question. Certainly, this decision, made by the federal government two weeks ago, has had and will continue to have one of the most significant impacts on agriculture in Western Australia that has occurred for some time. The decision was taken without any consultation with the Western Australian government—one of the states most impacted by the decision. The decision was also taken without any consultation with the Indonesian government. Clearly, on an international scale, that is significant to a government that relies on imports to feed its people. The impact is therefore significant on both the state’s economy and international relations. I went to Indonesia on a fact-finding trip and met with some very senior government officials; namely, the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Mari Pangestu, and her vice-minister. I also met with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Ir. H. Suswono and the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty. Besides meeting with high level government officials, I had the chance to meet with a range of industry people. A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: It is good to be back, too. Before I respond to the member for Geraldton’s question I would like, on behalf of the Deputy Premier, to make mention of the presence of Falcon Primary School students in the public gallery. Mr Speaker, it is great to see the young people from Falcon Primary School here. I thank the member for Geraldton for his question. Certainly, this decision, made by the federal government two weeks ago, has had and will continue to have one of the most significant impacts on agriculture in Western Australia that has occurred for some time. The decision was taken without any consultation with the Western Australian government—one of the states most impacted by the decision. The decision was also taken without any consultation with the Indonesian government. Clearly, on an international scale, that is significant to a government that relies on imports to feed its people. The impact is therefore significant on both the state’s economy and international relations. I went to Indonesia on a fact-finding trip and met with some very senior government officials; namely, the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Mari Pangestu, and her vice-minister. I also met with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Ir. H. Suswono and the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty. Besides meeting with high level government officials, I had the chance to meet with a range of industry people. A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
It is good to be back, too. Before I respond to the member for Geraldton’s question I would like, on behalf of the Deputy Premier, to make mention of the presence of Falcon Primary School students in the public gallery. Mr Speaker, it is great to see the young people from Falcon Primary School here. I thank the member for Geraldton for his question. Certainly, this decision, made by the federal government two weeks ago, has had and will continue to have one of the most significant impacts on agriculture in Western Australia that has occurred for some time. The decision was taken without any consultation with the Western Australian government—one of the states most impacted by the decision. The decision was also taken without any consultation with the Indonesian government. Clearly, on an international scale, that is significant to a government that relies on imports to feed its people. The impact is therefore significant on both the state’s economy and international relations. I went to Indonesia on a fact-finding trip and met with some very senior government officials; namely, the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Mari Pangestu, and her vice-minister. I also met with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Ir. H. Suswono and the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty. Besides meeting with high level government officials, I had the chance to meet with a range of industry people. A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
I thank the member for Geraldton for his question. Certainly, this decision, made by the federal government two weeks ago, has had and will continue to have one of the most significant impacts on agriculture in Western Australia that has occurred for some time. The decision was taken without any consultation with the Western Australian government—one of the states most impacted by the decision. The decision was also taken without any consultation with the Indonesian government. Clearly, on an international scale, that is significant to a government that relies on imports to feed its people. The impact is therefore significant on both the state’s economy and international relations. I went to Indonesia on a fact-finding trip and met with some very senior government officials; namely, the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Mari Pangestu, and her vice-minister. I also met with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Ir. H. Suswono and the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty. Besides meeting with high level government officials, I had the chance to meet with a range of industry people. A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
I went to Indonesia on a fact-finding trip and met with some very senior government officials; namely, the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Mari Pangestu, and her vice-minister. I also met with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Ir. H. Suswono and the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty. Besides meeting with high level government officials, I had the chance to meet with a range of industry people. A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
A member interjected: It is good to have you back. Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: It is good to be back, too. Before I respond to the member for Geraldton’s question I would like, on behalf of the Deputy Premier, to make mention of the presence of Falcon Primary School students in the public gallery. Mr Speaker, it is great to see the young people from Falcon Primary School here. I thank the member for Geraldton for his question. Certainly, this decision, made by the federal government two weeks ago, has had and will continue to have one of the most significant impacts on agriculture in Western Australia that has occurred for some time. The decision was taken without any consultation with the Western Australian government—one of the states most impacted by the decision. The decision was also taken without any consultation with the Indonesian government. Clearly, on an international scale, that is significant to a government that relies on imports to feed its people. The impact is therefore significant on both the state’s economy and international relations. I went to Indonesia on a fact-finding trip and met with some very senior government officials; namely, the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Mari Pangestu, and her vice-minister. I also met with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Ir. H. Suswono and the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty. Besides meeting with high level government officials, I had the chance to meet with a range of industry people. A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: It is good to be back, too. Before I respond to the member for Geraldton’s question I would like, on behalf of the Deputy Premier, to make mention of the presence of Falcon Primary School students in the public gallery. Mr Speaker, it is great to see the young people from Falcon Primary School here. I thank the member for Geraldton for his question. Certainly, this decision, made by the federal government two weeks ago, has had and will continue to have one of the most significant impacts on agriculture in Western Australia that has occurred for some time. The decision was taken without any consultation with the Western Australian government—one of the states most impacted by the decision. The decision was also taken without any consultation with the Indonesian government. Clearly, on an international scale, that is significant to a government that relies on imports to feed its people. The impact is therefore significant on both the state’s economy and international relations. I went to Indonesia on a fact-finding trip and met with some very senior government officials; namely, the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Mari Pangestu, and her vice-minister. I also met with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Ir. H. Suswono and the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty. Besides meeting with high level government officials, I had the chance to meet with a range of industry people. A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
It is good to be back, too. Before I respond to the member for Geraldton’s question I would like, on behalf of the Deputy Premier, to make mention of the presence of Falcon Primary School students in the public gallery. Mr Speaker, it is great to see the young people from Falcon Primary School here. I thank the member for Geraldton for his question. Certainly, this decision, made by the federal government two weeks ago, has had and will continue to have one of the most significant impacts on agriculture in Western Australia that has occurred for some time. The decision was taken without any consultation with the Western Australian government—one of the states most impacted by the decision. The decision was also taken without any consultation with the Indonesian government. Clearly, on an international scale, that is significant to a government that relies on imports to feed its people. The impact is therefore significant on both the state’s economy and international relations. I went to Indonesia on a fact-finding trip and met with some very senior government officials; namely, the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Mari Pangestu, and her vice-minister. I also met with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Ir. H. Suswono and the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty. Besides meeting with high level government officials, I had the chance to meet with a range of industry people. A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
I thank the member for Geraldton for his question. Certainly, this decision, made by the federal government two weeks ago, has had and will continue to have one of the most significant impacts on agriculture in Western Australia that has occurred for some time. The decision was taken without any consultation with the Western Australian government—one of the states most impacted by the decision. The decision was also taken without any consultation with the Indonesian government. Clearly, on an international scale, that is significant to a government that relies on imports to feed its people. The impact is therefore significant on both the state’s economy and international relations. I went to Indonesia on a fact-finding trip and met with some very senior government officials; namely, the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Mari Pangestu, and her vice-minister. I also met with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Ir. H. Suswono and the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty. Besides meeting with high level government officials, I had the chance to meet with a range of industry people. A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
I went to Indonesia on a fact-finding trip and met with some very senior government officials; namely, the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Mari Pangestu, and her vice-minister. I also met with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Ir. H. Suswono and the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty. Besides meeting with high level government officials, I had the chance to meet with a range of industry people. A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
A member interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I met with a company, Elders, that has a big import footprint in Indonesia. I met with Meat and Livestock Australia and with the Northern Australian Cattle Company, which owns the cattle still stranded at Port Hedland. I also met with representatives from a feedlot and had a chance to tour a feedlot that has about 11 000 head of cattle and is a significant importer from Western Australia. I also met with Sukanda Djaya, the largest meat importer in Indonesia. Sukanda Djaya is also involved in the food importation, dairy processing and food distribution sectors. The company imports meat and dairy products from Western Australia. Finally, I also met with representatives from Santori, one of the largest agrifood companies in Indonesia, which sources a significant number of cattle from Western Australia. One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
One very clear message from my visit was the damage done to the relationship between Australia and Indonesia. It is a country so very close to us as Western Australians, and it is a country that has significant trade relations with us. That damage is very clear, and in all the meetings I had that point was made right from the outset. It now concerns me that the damage done to that trade relationship is now becoming a factor in our capacity to re-engage with and to recommence livestock trade to Indonesia. The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
The other point made by Indonesian officials was their concern about food security. The decision not to consult has an impact on Indonesia’s capacity to manage its food security issues and, of course, that is now starting to play out; although there are animals in the supply chain, the price of beef has started to be pushed up in Indonesia. Those who would normally supply stock into the Indonesian domestic market are starting to sell their breeding animals to the slaughter market, and thus the flow-on impact that affects Indonesia’s capacity to breed stock and supply its own people. These other peripheral implications are happening as a result of the Gillard government’s decision to shut down, without any notice, the livestock trade relationship with Indonesia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I formally call the member for Albany to order for the first time today. Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Mr F.M. Logan : Did you raise the issue of animal welfare at all? Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Absolutely. And if I can respond to that, Minister Suswono clearly stated — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Minister Suswono clearly stated his commitment to and concern for animal welfare and his desire to resolve that issue, and to engage with the Australian and Western Australian governments to support them to that end. Clearly, that is high on the Indonesian government agenda and we need to engage on it. It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
It is clearly evident that there are now no physical barriers from the industry’s perspective. Closed-loop supply chains that meet the Australian government’s requirements in terms of traceability and accounting for livestock are available today. However, it is clear that there is now a political barrier. Even if the Australian government were to sign off on exports to Indonesia, it is not in any way a given that the Indonesian government would sign up for imports from Australia. It is having discussions around its own food security issues, and its reliance on stock from Australia clearly has somewhat been put in jeopardy. This requires some significant political and diplomatic solutions. The federal government needs to invest time at the highest level to build those relationships. The state government is taking this matter seriously. Our trip over there has shown a very clear signal of our desire to re-engage and our desire to get the trade happening. I have made it my number one priority out of my office. I want to do whatever I can to support a positive outcome. We have offered support to the federal government. I have offered support to the Australian Embassy in terms of the strong links that we already have with Indonesia, because they are so important to us. I have also offered support to the Indonesian government around technical matters that we can assist with. It has suggested that there might be a role for us to engage at a provincial level, which will play out over time. The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
The federal government has made a mess of this. It really needs to invest some time in sorting it out. It is something that is not going to go away soon, and it is something that will not be limited to the live trade in Indonesia.
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