Parliament Comes Together on Last Sitting Day

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens welcomed the support of both the Labor and Liberal parties on their move to establish a Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into the Tasmanian Dairy Industry and the impacts of the milk pricing controversy.

Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP, who has liaised with the Tasmanian Dairy Farmers Collective Bargaining Group over the proposal, accepted amendments to his initial inquiry motion to ensure that the inquiry will proceed.

“Tripartite support to establish an inquiry into the Tasmanian dairy industry is a fantastic outcome for the Parliament to present to our farmers, families and their communities on the last sitting day,” Mr Booth said.

“This is a crucial issue, and hopefully this parliamentary inquiry will provide this battling industry with vital support.”

“The dispute with National Foods has a human face and is currently driving Tasmanian dairy farmers into bankruptcy, family breakdown, and worse tragedies, so it is very appropriate for one of the last acts of this Parliament to be the establishment into the industry and the impacts upon it,” Mr Booth said.

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Text of final and amended Motion passed today:

That the following matter be referred to the Standing Committee on Environment, Resources and Development for investigation and report:

The state of the Tasmanian dairy industry, with particular reference to:—

(1) The economic and social effect National Foods Limited’s milk price offer will have on dairy farmers and the community at large.

(2) Any other matters concerning the Tasmanian dairy industry.

(3) Any matters incidental thereto.

And that the committee report by 19 December 2009, provided that: –

(1) Should both Houses be not sitting when the Committee has completed its inquiry into the Tasmanian Dairy Industry, the Committee may present its report to either Madam President or Mr Speaker, who are authorised to give directions for its circulation and printing.

(2) This resolution authorises the circulation of the report as if it had been tabled in either House.
Kim Booth MP Greens Primary Industries spokesperson