❓ Mrs Harvey questions the Premier's delayed involvement in the barley tariff crisis with China. The Premier defends his actions by highlighting the opposition's silence on the issue and offering support to the Commonwealth government.
AnsweredQoN 303Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BARLEY EXPORTS —
CHINESE TARIFFS
303. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Given the Premier and his government have been aware of this issue for more
than a year, why has the Premier not involved himself earlier in this barley
tariff crisis, given its overwhelming impact on Western Australian farmers and
our economy?
CHINESE TARIFFS
303. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Given the Premier and his government have been aware of this issue for more
than a year, why has the Premier not involved himself earlier in this barley
tariff crisis, given its overwhelming impact on Western Australian farmers and
our economy?
AnswerView source ↗
One of my more research-oriented
staff members researched Hansard to see how many times the state
opposition has raised this matter and the answer is that the Leader of the
Opposition has never raised this matter.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : No!
Mr M. McGOWAN : She has never
raised this matter.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mrs L.M. Harvey interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
Opposition!
Mr M. McGOWAN : Apparently,
only one MP has raised the matter, including the National Party, and that is Hon
Jim Chown! He raised the matter on one occasion. All I would say is that people
in glasshouses should not throw stones. Clearly, this is a significant national
issue. I have put out the hand of friendship to offer support to whatever the commonwealth government would like
the Western Australian government to do. I am not keen to get myself in
a situation whereby the commonwealth government would say somehow we, or
myself, has interfered in any way in
relation to any delicate negotiations or discussions that might be going on
behind closed doors. I have made the
offer to the commonwealth government that we are available to support, because
clearly Western Australia has a very big interest in this form of trade
and also a very big interest in good trading relationships with our traditional
trading partners. At this point, the offer has not been taken up. I cannot
really make the commonwealth take up our
offer of assistance. I would urge the leader of the state Liberal Party to
raise the issue with the Liberal Prime Minister and use whatever
influence she might have.
staff members researched Hansard to see how many times the state
opposition has raised this matter and the answer is that the Leader of the
Opposition has never raised this matter.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : No!
Mr M. McGOWAN : She has never
raised this matter.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mrs L.M. Harvey interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
Opposition!
Mr M. McGOWAN : Apparently,
only one MP has raised the matter, including the National Party, and that is Hon
Jim Chown! He raised the matter on one occasion. All I would say is that people
in glasshouses should not throw stones. Clearly, this is a significant national
issue. I have put out the hand of friendship to offer support to whatever the commonwealth government would like
the Western Australian government to do. I am not keen to get myself in
a situation whereby the commonwealth government would say somehow we, or
myself, has interfered in any way in
relation to any delicate negotiations or discussions that might be going on
behind closed doors. I have made the
offer to the commonwealth government that we are available to support, because
clearly Western Australia has a very big interest in this form of trade
and also a very big interest in good trading relationships with our traditional
trading partners. At this point, the offer has not been taken up. I cannot
really make the commonwealth take up our
offer of assistance. I would urge the leader of the state Liberal Party to
raise the issue with the Liberal Prime Minister and use whatever
influence she might have.
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