❓ Opposition questions Premier about cuts to agricultural research despite the government's stated commitment to the sector and science strategy. The Premier defends the government's record and accuses the opposition of inaction.
AnsweredQoN 512Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
AGRICULTURE
— SCIENCE STRATEGY
512. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
comments directly after the state election that he will, and I quote, ''take
a very direct interest in agriculture as Premier'', and to the recently
released science strategy for WA, which has agriculture as one of the five
priority areas.
(1) Why is a
crisis meeting being held, as revealed in today's The West Australian , to discuss severe cuts to agricultural
research and staffing?
(2) Do these cuts
not significantly impact Western Australia's ability to achieve its
target of doubling the state's farm and food production within a
decade?
(3) Is the Premier's
agricultural science strategy not in tatters now?
— SCIENCE STRATEGY
512. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
comments directly after the state election that he will, and I quote, ''take
a very direct interest in agriculture as Premier'', and to the recently
released science strategy for WA, which has agriculture as one of the five
priority areas.
(1) Why is a
crisis meeting being held, as revealed in today's The West Australian , to discuss severe cuts to agricultural
research and staffing?
(2) Do these cuts
not significantly impact Western Australia's ability to achieve its
target of doubling the state's farm and food production within a
decade?
(3) Is the Premier's
agricultural science strategy not in tatters now?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) What
a foolish end to a reasonable question! Let us talk about agriculture. The
objective of the Western Australian government is to see the value of
agricultural production double by 2030. That is a bold target but one we are
confident will be achieved. Why? Because after 40 years, we did Ord stage 2. We
have put over $300 million into extending the irrigation channel to the
Northern Territory border. Unlike Labor, we have introduced genetically
modified cropping for canola, and I think over 100 000 hectares is under GM—a
major boost to productivity. We are doing research in drought and
frost-resistant grains of wheat varieties. We have the Muchea saleyards,
state-of-the-art facilities, and also the saleyards in Katanning. We have the
Water for Food program. We are working on sheep. We need to increase our sheep
flock. We need to increase the quality of our beef herd in the north of the
state. And on it goes. What did we have under Labor? What did Labor ever do for
agriculture? What did it do?
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I cannot think of a single thing—not a thing.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : This government is doing a great deal. Our overseas trade
offices are now spending a high proportion of their time on international
investment into agriculture and into food supply. What we are seeing is the
growth, if you like, of corporate or business entities working in agriculture,
food production and processing. Why would members opposite question that, after
doing so little in government? To say that the science program is finished,
well, hang on; a huge amount of research is going into science, into
biosecurity and into breeding.
Mr R.H. Cook : But
that's got nothing to do with you. You're not resourcing it.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
No! I am only the Premier! I reckon it has got a bit to do with me giving
priority.
Mr R.H. Cook interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Kwinana!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It might be a joke to the member for Kwinana. I would rather be where I am than
where he is.
This government has a huge
commitment to agriculture, and I know others in the house could detail more.
Members opposite do not understand the science portfolio. The agriculture
department was in my view, and I think in successive ministers' view,
very much over-staffed. It is getting back to its core responsibilities in
terms of research, —
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Bassendean!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : — in terms of biosecurity and in terms of policy.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Why do members opposite not have an MPI on agriculture? Why
not have an MPI on that? Bring it on! That would be good. Members opposite did
nothing for agriculture.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members! Member for Kwinana! Premier, a quick answer.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We can all remember when former Prime Minister Julia Gillard
basically destroyed for a period of time live exports to Indonesia, with the
support of the Labor Party in Western Australia.
a foolish end to a reasonable question! Let us talk about agriculture. The
objective of the Western Australian government is to see the value of
agricultural production double by 2030. That is a bold target but one we are
confident will be achieved. Why? Because after 40 years, we did Ord stage 2. We
have put over $300 million into extending the irrigation channel to the
Northern Territory border. Unlike Labor, we have introduced genetically
modified cropping for canola, and I think over 100 000 hectares is under GM—a
major boost to productivity. We are doing research in drought and
frost-resistant grains of wheat varieties. We have the Muchea saleyards,
state-of-the-art facilities, and also the saleyards in Katanning. We have the
Water for Food program. We are working on sheep. We need to increase our sheep
flock. We need to increase the quality of our beef herd in the north of the
state. And on it goes. What did we have under Labor? What did Labor ever do for
agriculture? What did it do?
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I cannot think of a single thing—not a thing.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : This government is doing a great deal. Our overseas trade
offices are now spending a high proportion of their time on international
investment into agriculture and into food supply. What we are seeing is the
growth, if you like, of corporate or business entities working in agriculture,
food production and processing. Why would members opposite question that, after
doing so little in government? To say that the science program is finished,
well, hang on; a huge amount of research is going into science, into
biosecurity and into breeding.
Mr R.H. Cook : But
that's got nothing to do with you. You're not resourcing it.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
No! I am only the Premier! I reckon it has got a bit to do with me giving
priority.
Mr R.H. Cook interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Kwinana!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It might be a joke to the member for Kwinana. I would rather be where I am than
where he is.
This government has a huge
commitment to agriculture, and I know others in the house could detail more.
Members opposite do not understand the science portfolio. The agriculture
department was in my view, and I think in successive ministers' view,
very much over-staffed. It is getting back to its core responsibilities in
terms of research, —
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Bassendean!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : — in terms of biosecurity and in terms of policy.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Why do members opposite not have an MPI on agriculture? Why
not have an MPI on that? Bring it on! That would be good. Members opposite did
nothing for agriculture.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members! Member for Kwinana! Premier, a quick answer.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We can all remember when former Prime Minister Julia Gillard
basically destroyed for a period of time live exports to Indonesia, with the
support of the Labor Party in Western Australia.
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