Press Release

Wheat Growers in Western Australia have welcomed today’s passing in the Senate of the Government’s Wheat Export Marketing Amendment Bill.

“Today’s passing by the Senate of the Bill is a tremendous result not only for export wheat growers in Western Australia, but for all grain growers in Australia,” PGA Western Grain Growers Chairman John Snooke said.

“Whilst this debate has been one filled with emotion on all sides, common sense has once again prevailed.”

“The PGA and supporters of the Government’s Bill have continually said that the industry is mature enough for full deregulation and that any industry good functions are best addressed by industry, not through increasing the role of WEA, or imposing further regulation or costs on growers.”

“We commend Minister Ludwig for having the foresight and perseverance to continue with the path started by the Labor Government in 2007, the Greens for supporting the Labor Government’s Bill that will allow export wheat farmers to have the right to freely market their wheat without the need for unnecessary Government oversight and regulation and Western Australian Liberal Senator Dean Smith who, from the very beginning stood up in the public arena against the protectionist policies of the National Party to support his constituents in O’Connor and Durack who are the largest export wheat growers in the nation.”