A parliamentary question regarding support for the strawberry industry in Wanneroo, focusing on biosecurity measures, particularly concerning potato cyst nematode (PCN) and Queensland fruit fly. The Minister's answer highlights collaboration to maintain PCN-free status while importing strawberry runners.

AnsweredQoN 192Legislative Assembly
Asked
6 April 2011
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

STRAWBERRY GROWING INDUSTRY
The minister is aware that my electorate of Wanneroo is one of the largest strawberry growing areas in the state. Will the minister please inform the house how this government is supporting the strawberry industry, which is very important to my electorate, and how this support relates to biosecurity? Mr D.T. REDMAN

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for Wanneroo for his interest in this matter. Obviously, he has been an extremely strong advocate for strawberry growers in his electorate. He has phoned me and met with me on a number of occasions to highlight the challenges faced by a number of people in his electorate. He has effectively lobbied to ensure good outcomes for strawberry growers in particular. Strawberry growing across the state is worth about $50 million a year, which is certainly not insignificant, and the Liberal–National government wants to support strawberry growers to ensure their wonderful product is grown in Western Australia. It might not be known to the house that 95 per cent of the runners used by Western Australian strawberry growers come from the eastern states, and in particular from a strawberry growing cooperative in Toolangi, Victoria. Runners have been sourced from there since about 1960. However, that is not the issue. Members may recall that late last year I highlighted that Western Australia had been declared free of potato cyst nematode. I think that was the first time anywhere in the world that such a declaration has been made. As we source strawberry runners from the eastern states, the challenge is to have protocols in place to ensure that no PCN is brought into Western Australia. There was some risk, and for a short while we stopped bringing in strawberry runners from the eastern states because of the risk of attached soil affecting our potato cyst nematode–free area status. The outcome was that a close look at that challenge was needed. Between the member for Wanneroo, the growers in his electorate, the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Primary Industries in Victoria, we have come up with a protocol to ensure that we can still import the strawberry runners, which are very important to the industry in Western Australia, and particularly to the electorate of the member for Wanneroo, while maintaining our PCN-free status. It took some time to achieve that declaration, and we want to protect that status because it is important to the export of potatoes from this state. This is a significant outcome. The member for Wanneroo has led that charge. We achieved a good outcome for growers in his area, while protecting other industries in the state for which area freedom from certain diseases is important. I also refer to the management of the Queensland fruit fly. The member for Collie–Preston highlighted flies. He took the time to put out a media release, but he put it out on the back of a question that he put on notice: he asked me how much I had cut from the Queensland fruit fly program. I said — Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : We have a very truncated question time. The question was about strawberries, and the minister is now going into another subject area. I ask that he be sat down so we can get onto another question. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I highlight that the question is about biosecurity, which is important to the state. The member for Collie–Preston finds in a question on notice that the state government — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Take a seat, minister. Mr P.B. Watson : When you were in opposition, you did not make any press releases! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr P.B. Watson : Thank you. The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for his interest in this matter. Obviously, he has been an extremely strong advocate for strawberry growers in his electorate. He has phoned me and met with me on a number of occasions to highlight the challenges faced by a number of people in his electorate. He has effectively lobbied to ensure good outcomes for strawberry growers in particular. Strawberry growing across the state is worth about $50 million a year, which is certainly not insignificant, and the Liberal–National government wants to support strawberry growers to ensure their wonderful product is grown in Western Australia. It might not be known to the house that 95 per cent of the runners used by Western Australian strawberry growers come from the eastern states, and in particular from a strawberry growing cooperative in Toolangi, Victoria. Runners have been sourced from there since about 1960. However, that is not the issue. Members may recall that late last year I highlighted that Western Australia had been declared free of potato cyst nematode. I think that was the first time anywhere in the world that such a declaration has been made. As we source strawberry runners from the eastern states, the challenge is to have protocols in place to ensure that no PCN is brought into Western Australia. There was some risk, and for a short while we stopped bringing in strawberry runners from the eastern states because of the risk of attached soil affecting our potato cyst nematode–free area status. The outcome was that a close look at that challenge was needed. Between the member for Wanneroo, the growers in his electorate, the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Primary Industries in Victoria, we have come up with a protocol to ensure that we can still import the strawberry runners, which are very important to the industry in Western Australia, and particularly to the electorate of the member for Wanneroo, while maintaining our PCN-free status. It took some time to achieve that declaration, and we want to protect that status because it is important to the export of potatoes from this state. This is a significant outcome. The member for Wanneroo has led that charge. We achieved a good outcome for growers in his area, while protecting other industries in the state for which area freedom from certain diseases is important. I also refer to the management of the Queensland fruit fly. The member for Collie–Preston highlighted flies. He took the time to put out a media release, but he put it out on the back of a question that he put on notice: he asked me how much I had cut from the Queensland fruit fly program. I said — Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : We have a very truncated question time. The question was about strawberries, and the minister is now going into another subject area. I ask that he be sat down so we can get onto another question. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I highlight that the question is about biosecurity, which is important to the state. The member for Collie–Preston finds in a question on notice that the state government — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Take a seat, minister. Mr P.B. Watson : When you were in opposition, you did not make any press releases! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr P.B. Watson : Thank you. The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
I thank the member for Wanneroo for his interest in this matter. Obviously, he has been an extremely strong advocate for strawberry growers in his electorate. He has phoned me and met with me on a number of occasions to highlight the challenges faced by a number of people in his electorate. He has effectively lobbied to ensure good outcomes for strawberry growers in particular. Strawberry growing across the state is worth about $50 million a year, which is certainly not insignificant, and the Liberal–National government wants to support strawberry growers to ensure their wonderful product is grown in Western Australia. It might not be known to the house that 95 per cent of the runners used by Western Australian strawberry growers come from the eastern states, and in particular from a strawberry growing cooperative in Toolangi, Victoria. Runners have been sourced from there since about 1960. However, that is not the issue. Members may recall that late last year I highlighted that Western Australia had been declared free of potato cyst nematode. I think that was the first time anywhere in the world that such a declaration has been made. As we source strawberry runners from the eastern states, the challenge is to have protocols in place to ensure that no PCN is brought into Western Australia. There was some risk, and for a short while we stopped bringing in strawberry runners from the eastern states because of the risk of attached soil affecting our potato cyst nematode–free area status. The outcome was that a close look at that challenge was needed. Between the member for Wanneroo, the growers in his electorate, the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Primary Industries in Victoria, we have come up with a protocol to ensure that we can still import the strawberry runners, which are very important to the industry in Western Australia, and particularly to the electorate of the member for Wanneroo, while maintaining our PCN-free status. It took some time to achieve that declaration, and we want to protect that status because it is important to the export of potatoes from this state. This is a significant outcome. The member for Wanneroo has led that charge. We achieved a good outcome for growers in his area, while protecting other industries in the state for which area freedom from certain diseases is important. I also refer to the management of the Queensland fruit fly. The member for Collie–Preston highlighted flies. He took the time to put out a media release, but he put it out on the back of a question that he put on notice: he asked me how much I had cut from the Queensland fruit fly program. I said — Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : We have a very truncated question time. The question was about strawberries, and the minister is now going into another subject area. I ask that he be sat down so we can get onto another question. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I highlight that the question is about biosecurity, which is important to the state. The member for Collie–Preston finds in a question on notice that the state government — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Take a seat, minister. Mr P.B. Watson : When you were in opposition, you did not make any press releases! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr P.B. Watson : Thank you. The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
Strawberry growing across the state is worth about $50 million a year, which is certainly not insignificant, and the Liberal–National government wants to support strawberry growers to ensure their wonderful product is grown in Western Australia. It might not be known to the house that 95 per cent of the runners used by Western Australian strawberry growers come from the eastern states, and in particular from a strawberry growing cooperative in Toolangi, Victoria. Runners have been sourced from there since about 1960. However, that is not the issue. Members may recall that late last year I highlighted that Western Australia had been declared free of potato cyst nematode. I think that was the first time anywhere in the world that such a declaration has been made. As we source strawberry runners from the eastern states, the challenge is to have protocols in place to ensure that no PCN is brought into Western Australia. There was some risk, and for a short while we stopped bringing in strawberry runners from the eastern states because of the risk of attached soil affecting our potato cyst nematode–free area status. The outcome was that a close look at that challenge was needed. Between the member for Wanneroo, the growers in his electorate, the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Primary Industries in Victoria, we have come up with a protocol to ensure that we can still import the strawberry runners, which are very important to the industry in Western Australia, and particularly to the electorate of the member for Wanneroo, while maintaining our PCN-free status. It took some time to achieve that declaration, and we want to protect that status because it is important to the export of potatoes from this state. This is a significant outcome. The member for Wanneroo has led that charge. We achieved a good outcome for growers in his area, while protecting other industries in the state for which area freedom from certain diseases is important. I also refer to the management of the Queensland fruit fly. The member for Collie–Preston highlighted flies. He took the time to put out a media release, but he put it out on the back of a question that he put on notice: he asked me how much I had cut from the Queensland fruit fly program. I said — Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : We have a very truncated question time. The question was about strawberries, and the minister is now going into another subject area. I ask that he be sat down so we can get onto another question. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I highlight that the question is about biosecurity, which is important to the state. The member for Collie–Preston finds in a question on notice that the state government — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Take a seat, minister. Mr P.B. Watson : When you were in opposition, you did not make any press releases! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr P.B. Watson : Thank you. The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
I also refer to the management of the Queensland fruit fly. The member for Collie–Preston highlighted flies. He took the time to put out a media release, but he put it out on the back of a question that he put on notice: he asked me how much I had cut from the Queensland fruit fly program. I said — Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : We have a very truncated question time. The question was about strawberries, and the minister is now going into another subject area. I ask that he be sat down so we can get onto another question. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I highlight that the question is about biosecurity, which is important to the state. The member for Collie–Preston finds in a question on notice that the state government — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Take a seat, minister. Mr P.B. Watson : When you were in opposition, you did not make any press releases! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr P.B. Watson : Thank you. The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker, I highlight that the question is about biosecurity, which is important to the state. The member for Collie–Preston finds in a question on notice that the state government — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Take a seat, minister. Mr P.B. Watson : When you were in opposition, you did not make any press releases! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr P.B. Watson : Thank you. The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
The member for Collie–Preston finds in a question on notice that the state government — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Take a seat, minister. Mr P.B. Watson : When you were in opposition, you did not make any press releases! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr P.B. Watson : Thank you. The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Take a seat, minister. Mr P.B. Watson : When you were in opposition, you did not make any press releases! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr P.B. Watson : Thank you. The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Take a seat, minister. Mr P.B. Watson : When you were in opposition, you did not make any press releases! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr P.B. Watson : Thank you. The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
Mr P.B. Watson : When you were in opposition, you did not make any press releases! The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr P.B. Watson : Thank you. The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr P.B. Watson : Thank you. The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
Mr P.B. Watson : Thank you. The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Although I did not take the point of order from the member for Rockingham, I entirely understand his sentiment. I have given the opportunity for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to conclude his comments, not for people to continually interject. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will try to wrap up my comments. I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
I raised the example of the Queensland fruit fly. One fruit fly was found in Highgate on 18 February, and the response has been quick. We were able to grant approval to eradicate and to control the outbreak in accordance with the Plant Diseases Act. A whole heap of inspectors moved in. We are now in a position that if we can remain fruit fly–free for eight to 12 weeks, we will be a designated area free of Queensland fruit fly. This Liberal–National government is certainly vigilant about biosecurity. The member for Collie–Preston needs to take a little closer notice of his questions on notice, because he got it wrong in his media release. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Before I give the member for Girrawheen the call, I formally call to order the member for Albany for the third time and the member for Forrestfield for the first time.

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