MBARGO 900 PAL.
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON. E, G. WHITLAM, MoPe,
TO THE AUSTRALIAN FARMERS' FEDERATIOQf
CANBERRA, TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER 1974
I RECALL WITH GREAT PLEASURE THE RECEPTION YOU
GAVE ME A YEAR AGO WHEN I ADDRESSED YOUR FEDERATION HERE
IN THIS CIT?, YOU SHOWED YOURSELVES THEN AS YOU HAVE
ALWAYS DONEIN YOUR NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND
IN YOU PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSIONS TO THE CABINET TO BE
RECEPTIVE, RESPONSIBLE AND REASONABLE. SINCE I LAST
SPOKE TO YOU OUR ECONOMIC PROBLEMS HAVE INCREASED AND THE
DIFFICULTIES FACED BY FARMERS HAVE INCREASED. I ACKNOWLEDGE
THOSE FACTS FRANKLY AT THE OUTSET. I MAKE NO APOLOGY,
HOWEVER. FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S RURAL POLICIES. I . INTEND TO
SHOW YOU THAT OUR POLICIES ARE NOT ONLY SOUND BUT GENEROUS,
AND THAT IF WE ARE TRULY DETERMINED TO IMPROVE THE'PROSPECTS
OF OUR RURAL INDUSTRIES THERE IS NO RATIONAL ALTERNATIVE
TO THEM. I AM NOT HERE TO OFFER YOU SOFT SOAP OR HOLD OUT
PROSPECTS OF MAGICAL SOLUTIONS, ANY MORE THAN I AM PREPARED
TO DO SO FOR OTHER SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY. I WANT TO
TELL YOU AS CLEARLY AND FULLY AS I CAN WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR
YOUR INDUSTRIES AND WHAT WE HOPE TO DO. I WANT TO CONVINCE
YOU THAT THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT HAS YOUR INTERESTS TRULY
AT HEART, AND THAT YOUR FUTURE GIVEN GOODWILL AND GOOD
SENSE IS A BRIGHT ONE.
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IT IS TEMPTING FOR FARMERS IN TIMES OF ECONOMIC
DIFFICULTY TO SEEK A SCAPEGOAT FOR THEIR PROBLEMS. 1Tis
PARTICULARLY TEMPTING TO MAKE THE LABOR GOVERNMENT THE
SCAPEGOAT AND IMAGINE THAT ALL YOUR TROUBLES CAN BE LAID
AT THE GOVERNMENT'S DOOR. YOU WOULD BE VERY FOOLISH TO
ADOPT THAT ATTITUDE. IHAVE TOO MUCH RESPECT FOR YOUR
INTELLIGENCC AND YOUR REALISM AS MEN* OF. THE LAND TO IMAGINE
THAT YOU WILL FALL FOR THE LINE, SEDULOUSLY FOSTERED BY
OUR OPPONENTS, THAT LABOR IS AN ANTI-RURAL PARTY. WE HAVE
HEARD THESE SLOGANS BEFORE. IHAVE ANSWERED THEM BEFORE.
IAM TIRED OF THEM AND I AM PREPARED TO BET THAT YOU. ARE
PRETTY TIRED OF THEM YOURSELVES. THEY SOLVE NOTHINGI.
THE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY OUR RURAL INDUSTRIES ARE OF TWO
BROAD KINDS. THERE ARE THOSE CONCERNED WITH CHAN~ GING
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS, WORLD PRICES AND CLIMATIC'AND
SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS. No GOVERNMENT CAN DO MUCH ABOUT THESE
DIFFICULTIES OTHER THAN RELIEVEHARDSHIP AS BEST IT CANTHOUGH
ON THE QUESTION OF OVERSEAS MARKETS WE HAVE A
PARTICULARLY FINE RECORD AND I SHALL DEAL-WITH IT LATER.
THE SECOND KIND OF PROBLEM YOU FACE HAS TO DO WITH THE
GENERAL ECONOMIC-CONDITION OF THE NATION. ' TO A LARGE EXTENT
THE PROBLEMS FACED BY RURAL INDUSTRIES ARE THOSE FACED BY THE
ENTIRE COMMUNITY. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.' INFLATION TOUCHES ALL
OF US AND BEATING INFLATION IS A TASK FOR ALL OF US. IT
ALSO HAPPENS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR EVERY DEVELOPED COUNTRY IN
THE WORLD. .3
-3-
IT IS IN NO WAY HELPFUL TO PRETEND THAT FARMERS ' AN ISOLATE
THEMSELVES FROM THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY OR FROM. THE REST
OF THE WORLD, OR THAT THEIR DIFFICULTIES CAN BE CURED
WITH A LITTLE EXTRA MONEY OR A LITTLE EXTRA LIP-SERVICE
FROM A GOVERNMENT OF ANOTHER COLOUR. ANYONE WHO TRIES
TO SELL YOU THAT LINE IS UNDERRATING YOUR GOOD SENSE,
ANYONE WHO-BELIEVES IT IS DOING HIMSELF AND THE FARMERS
OF THIS COUNTRY A DISSERVICE.
THE LONG-TERM PROBLEMS OF THE RURAL INDUSTRIES
ARE DEEP AND COMPLEX LIKE THOSE OF ALL OTHER INDUSTRIES.
THEY HAVE TO DO WITH A GENERAL AND PERVADING CRISIS IN THE
WESTERN DEMOCRACIES, THEY HAVE TO DO WITH THE LONG-TERM
EFFICIENCY OF OUR INDUSTRIES, THE USE WE MAKE OF OUR
MANPOWER AND RESOURCES, THE CONDITIONS OF OUR CITIES AND
TOWNS AND TRANSPORT, THE PROBLEMS OF MARKETS, INTERNATIONAL
TRADE AND CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS. I ASK YOU TO FACE THESE
FACTS WITH ME. IF YOU PREFER TO BLAME EVERYTHING ON THE
GOVERNMENT, IF YOU IMAGINE THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN SOLVE
YOUR PROBLEMS MERELY BY A CHANGE OF HEART, IF YOU PREFER
TO LIVE IN A WORLD OF FANTASY AND COUNTRY PARTY SLOGANS
THERE IS LITTLE MY GOVERNMENT OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT CAN
DO FOR YOU. IT IS TIME FOR MORE CO-OPERATION, MORE
GOODWILL AND, IF I MAY SAY SO, A LOT MORE ' REALISM FROM THE
FARMING COMMUNITY. I DO NOT'BRUSH ASIDE YOUR PROBLEMS AND
I DO NOT DENY YOUR RIGHT TO PROTEST IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE
GENUINE GRIEVANCES. I DO SAY THAT FARMERS WHO DEMONSTRATE
AGAINST THIS GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXAMINE THE RECORD FAIRLY AND
LOOK AT THE FACTS ABOUT THEIR DIFFICULTIES AND WHAT THE
GOVERNMENT HAS DONE TQ HELP THEM.
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I'AM HAPPY TO LET THE FACTS PSEAK FOR THEMSELV. S, I HOPE
YOU WILL BE HAPPY TO LISTEN TO-THEM,
I PUT IT TO YOU THAT NO GOVERNMENT HAS DONE
MORE FOR THE FARMERS THAN MINE. NOT JUST FOR THE MAN
ON THE LAND BUT FOR THE WHOLE RURAL COMMUNITY, FOR THE
3,000,000 AND MORE AUSTRALIANS 24% OF OUR PEOPLE WHO
LIVE IN COUNTRY TOWNS. AND NOT JUST IN TERMS OF CASH
BENEFITS AND SPENDING BUT IN THE DIFFICULT, CREATIVE, TESTING
BUSINESS OF SEEKING LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS AND DEVELOPING
THE'INSTITUTIONS AND POLICIES NEEDED TO SECURE A BETTER
LIFE. FOR FARMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
LET ME GIVE YOU SOME FIGURES FIRST OF ALL. MONEY
ISN'T EVERYTHING BUT THE FIGURES SPEAK LOUD AND CLEAR. IN
OUR LAST BUDGET, OUTLAYS ON RURAL ASSISTANCE TOTALLED
$ 488 MILLION $ 158 MILLION MORE THAN LAST YEAR. THERE WAS
A NET INCREASE IN OUR PAYMENTS TO AGRICULTURE OF $ 88 MILLION
OVER THE BUDGET IN 1973-74. THAT IS HARDLY THE SORT OF
BUDGET ONE WOULD EXPECT FROM AN ANTI-RURAL PARTY. I AM
AFRAID WE HEAR ALL TO LITTLE FROM THE FARMERS AND THEIR
SELF-PROCLAIMED ALLIES ABOUT THE CREDIT SIDE OF LABOR'S
LEDGER THE $ 56 MILLION WE ARE SPENDING ON AN ANIMAL HEALTH,
LABORATORY, THE $ 28 MILLION WE ARE SPENDING ON A DAIRY
RESTRUCTURING SCHEME, THE $ 40 MILLION WE ARE SPENDING IN
INCREASED FIRST ADVANCE PAYMENTS FOR WHEAT, THE $ 45 MILLION
WE ARE SPENDING ON THE NATURAL DISASTER RELIEF FUND, MOST OF
WHICH WILL GO TO PEOPLE IN COUNTRY AREAS. THESE ARE JUST
A FEW EXAMPLES.
IN* THE CONTEXT OF CASH BENEFITS PERHAPS I SHOULD
DEAL PROMPTLY WITH ONE PARTICULAR AND NOTORIOUS GRIEVANCE
OF THE RURAL COMMUNITY. TO LISTEN TO THE COUNTRY PARTY
ANYONE WOULD IMAGINE THAT ALL THE TROUBLES OF THE RURAL
SECTOR WERE DUE TO OUR DECISION TO ABOLISH THE SUPERPHOSPHATE
BOUNTY. WE DECIDED TO END THIS SUBSIDY. BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL
REASONS FOR INTRODUCING IT REASONS WHICH ALONE WOULD JUSTIFY
A MEASURE OF THIS KIND AT THE TAXPAYERSI EXPENSE NO LONGER
EXIST. IT WAS INTRODUCED WHEN THE PARAMOUNT NEED OF THE
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT WAS TO ENCOURAGE RURAL PRODUCTION. TO
EARN FOREIGN EXCHANGE. THERE IS NO LONGER SUCH A NEED. THE
ABOLITION OF THE BOUNTY MOST OF WHICH WENT TO THE WEALTHIEST
FARMERS WHO NEED IT LEAST WILL SAVE ABOUT $ 56 MILLION.
THAT IS APPROXIMATELY THE COST OF OUR PROPOSED ANIMAL HEALTH
LABORATORY. THE BENEFITS TO RURAL PRODUCERS FROM THAT
LABORATORY WILL BE INFINITELY GREATER THAN THE BENEFIT FROM
THE SUPERPHOSPHATE BOUNTY. SO HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE
MORERATIONAL USE OF RESOURCES,. As YOU KNOW, WE HAVE REMOVED
A NUMBER OF OTHER RURAL SUBSIDIES WHICH WE CONSIDERED
WASTEFUL OR SELF-DEFEATING. THE SUPERPHOSPHATE BOUNTY IS THE
ONLY ONE OF THESE SUBSIDIES WHICH THE LIBERAL-COUNTRY PARTIES
HAVE SPECIFICALLY PROMISED TO RESTORE AND IF THERE HAD NOT
BEEN AN ELECTION LAST MAY I DOUBT IF THEY WOULD HAVE PROMISED
EVEN THAT. SO WHENEVER YOU ARE TEMPTED TO BLAME A LABOR
6*
GOVERNMENT FOR DECISIONS THAT YOU FEEL TO'BE AGAINST YOUR
INTERESTS, LOOK CAREFULLY TO SEE WHETHER OUR OPPONENTS WOULD
ACT ANY DIFFERENTLY$ / 6
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IWANT TO DEAL WITH THE BROAD ASP~ T.*: S OF OUR
PROGRAM AS THEY AFFECT COUNTRY DWELLERS NQT JUST
FARMERS. IT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN THAT EVERYTHING THIS
GOVERNMENT HAS DONE FOR. CITY PEOPLE IT HAS DONE FOR
COUNTRY PEOPLE AS WELL.,. IT IS CENTRAL TO OUR PHILOSOPHY
THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE To AUSTRALIANS FOR A
BETTER LIFE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE EQUJALLY TO ALL AUSTRALIANS
WHEREVER THEY LIVE. OUR ACHIEVEMENTS IN EDUCATION, HEALTH
CARE AND SOCIAL WELFARE, TO TAKE JUST THREE EXAMPLES, ARE
NOT BENEFITS FOR CITY PEOPLE ALONE. IN MANY WAYS TH EY ARE
OF GREATER IMPORTANCE TO COUNTRY PEOPLE. MY COLLEAGUE
SENATOR WRIEDT MADE THE POINT THE OTHER DAY THAT ONLY 4%
OF AUSTRALIAN FARMERS HAD HAD A TERTIARY EDUCATION. THAT
REGRETTABLE FACT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE. LIMITED EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTRY. CHILDREN IN RURAL
AREAS HAVE SUFFERED FROM THEIR ISOLATION. WE ARE THE FIRST
GOVERNMENT TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM. ONE WAY OF SPENDING
FUNDS ON EDUCATION IS TO CONCENTRATE ON PROGRAMS FOR
ISOLATED CHILDREN IN RURAL'AREAS. THAT IS WHAT WE-* ARE DOING.
IKNOW WHICH COURSE IS MORE IMPORTANT IN THE LONG RUN. LET
US FACE THESE FACTS SQUARELY IF ONLY FOR THE SAKE OF OUR
CHILDREN. I 1 0 S 17
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THE LAST LIBERAL BUDGET PROVIDED $ 2k MI1LLION FOR
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ISOLATED CHILDREN. THIS '( EAR WE.
HAVE BUDGETED FOR $ 11k MILLION. THE LAST LIBERAL IlObtiET
GAVE $ 6 MILLION FOR RURAL UNIVERSITIES. WE ARE SPENDING
$ 21 MILLION THIS YEAR. FOR COLLEGES OF ADVANCED EDUCATION
IN THE RURAL SECTOR, IT WAS $ 12 MILLION IN THE LAST LIBERAL
BUDGET; IT IS $ 47 MILLION IN OUR BUDGET..
IF WE TAKE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS WE FIND THAT
$ 880 MILLION -OR 46% O OF OUR TOTAL EXPENDITURE THROUGHOUT
AUSTRALIA GOES TO RURAL AREAS. OUR REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT
DEVELOPMENT SCHEME, OUR NATIONAL ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
PROGRAMS, OUR PLANS FOR CHILD CARE, OUR SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
TO INDUSTRIES IN COUNTRY CITIES AND TOWNS AFFECTED BY
UNEMPLOYMENT -THESE ARE ALL MEASURES OF PARTICULAR BENEFIT
TO COUNTRY PEOPLE. OUR TAX CUTS FOR PEOPLE ON INCOMES
BELOW $ 10,000 A YEAR WILL ASSIST MANY FARMERS. SO WILL OUR
PROPOSAL TO ALLOW MORTGAGE INTEREST PAYMENTS AS A TAX
DEDUCTION. So WILL OUR RECENT DEVALUATION. SO WILL OUR
LOWER TARIFFS. SO WILL OUR ABOLITION OF RADIO AND TELEVISION
LICENCE FEES. ALL THIS SHOULD BE OBVIOUS, BUT TOO OFTEN
THESE THINGS ARE FORGOTTEN.
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WE ARE ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF FLUCTUATION IN
FARMERS' INCOMES. THESE FLUCTUATIONS CAUSE HARDHIPj,;
AND UNCERTAINTY FOR MANY RURAL PRODUCERS. IN ADDITION TO THE
PARTICULAR GOVERNMENT MEASURES I HAVE DESCRIBED, WHICH WILL
RAISE LIVING STANDARDS IN ALL RURAL AREAS, WE ARE DETERMINED
TO DO WHAT WE CAN ABOUT INDIVIDUAL INCOME FLUCTUATIONS.
I HAVE TODAY. ASKED THE INDUSTRIES ASSISTANCE COMMISSION TO
REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT ON WHAT ASSISTANCE MAY BE NEEDED TO
REDUCE THESE FLUCTUATIONS. THE INQUIRY WILL BE DETAILED
AND COMPREHENSIVE AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT CONSIDERABLE
SBENEFITS WILL FLOW FROM IT TO THE WHOLE FARMING COMMUNITY.
WHEN I-SPOKE. TO YOU LAST YEAR I TOLD YOU THAT WE SAW THE
I. A. C. AS THE GREAT INSTRUMENT FOR RATIONALISING AND, WHERE
"' FCESSARY, AUGMENTING OUR ASSISTANCE TO RURAL INDUSTRIES,
SINl" THEN WE HAVE REFERRED MANY RURAL MATTERS TO THE
I. A. C. FOR INQUIRY AND REPORT. IT WILL HELP YOU IF I LIST
THEM BRIEFLY: SUPERPHOSPHATE MANUFACTURING, MUSHROOMS,
APPLES AND PEARS, DRIED VINE FRUITS, BOVINE BRUCELLOSIS,
AND TUBERCULOSIS SLAUGHTER COMPENSATION cHEMES, RURAL
PROMOTION, RURAL RESEARCH, RURAL RECONSTRUCTION, DAIRYING,
NEW LAiiD FARMS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA, NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER
SSUBSIDY. THUS YO. "' ILL SEE THE STRENGTH AND SCOPE OF OUR
EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THEIR I-" PECTS OF OUR RURAL INDUSTRIES.
I SHALL DEAL BRIEFLY" WITH OUR ACHIEVEMENTS IN
FOUR INDUSTRIES OF GREAT IMPORTANCE. .1/ 9
THE OUTLOOK FOR THE WOOL INDUSTRY DE TTE
FALLING PRICES IS MORE SECURE TODAY AS A RESULT-. OF
LABOR'S POLICIES, IN DECEMBER 1972 WE INHERITED MR. ANTHONY'S
FLEXIBLE RESERVE PRICE SCHEME, Now THE LABOR GOVERNMENT
' HAS DECIDED THAT THE WOOL INDUSTRY SHOULD BE PROTECTED BY A
FLOOR PRICE. IT HAS BEEN FIXED AT THE EQUILAVENT OF 250
CENTS A KILO CLEAN FOR THE FULL 1974-75' SEASON,. IN EFFECT,
AUSTRALIAIS CUSTOMERS NOW KNOW THAT DURING THE CURRENT
SEASON THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BUY WOOL BELOW THAT PRICE.
THIS WILL GIVE THEM CONFIDENCE IN THE AUCTION ROOM. THEY WILL
KNOW THAT THE VALUE OF THEIR STOCKS WILL NOT FALL DRASTICALLY
AND THAT COMPETITORS WILL PAY THE SAME BASIC PRICE FOR WOOL
SUPPLIES AS THEY WILL. THE WOOLGROWER WILL HAVE GREATER
CONFIDENCE IN THE INDUSTRY KNOWING THAT A FLOOR HAS BEEN
PLACED UNDER THE MARKET.
IN ADDITION TO THE FLOOR PRICE MECHANISM, THE
AUSTRALIAN WOOL CORPORATION HAS BEEN AUTHORISED TO CONTINUE
TO OPERATE A FLEXIBLE RESERVE PRICE SCHEME WHEN MARKET
VALUES ARE ABOVE 250 CENTS A KILO. IN OTHER WORDS, IF THE
MARKET RATE IS ABOVE 250 CENTS AND A SLUMP SETS IN, THE
DECLINE WILL BE SOFTENED WITH THE PRICE FALLING GRADUALLY
UNTIL THE FIXED FLOOR IS REACHED,
ON THE EVE OF THE BUDGET, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO
PROVIDE DIRECT LOANS TO THE AUSTRALIAN WOOL CORPORATION FOR
ITS FLOOR PRICE OPERATIONS WHEN THE BANKS ARE UNABLE TO MAKE
FUNDS AVAILABLE, IN EFFECT, THE LABOR GOVERNMENT IS NOW
PROVIDING ITS OWN FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE WOOL MARKET AND NOT
) U T UARANTEEIN LQAN$ FROM THE BANKLNG .110
WE HAVE ALREADY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO PROVIflE $ 150 MILLION
TO SUPPORT THE FLOOR PRICE.
WE HAVE HELPED WHEATGROWERS IN POSITIVE AND
CONSTRUCTIVE WAYS. ONE OF THE FIRST ACTS Or THE GOVERNMENT
WAS TO RECOGNISE THE VALIDITY OF WHEATGROWERS' CASE FOR AN
INCREASED FIRST ADVANCE PAYMENT, PARTICULARLY AT A TIME
WHEN STOCKS WERE AT AN ALL-TIME LOW. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN
FIFTEEN YEARS, THE FIRST'ADVANCE WAS ' INCREASED BY A SPECIAL
INCENTIVE PAYMENT OF 10 CENTS A BUSHEL. AT THE SAME TIME$
THE GOVERNMENT AGREED TO APPLY THE INCREASED FIRST ADVANCE
TO A RECORD DELIVERY QUOTA OF 514 MILLION BUSHELS FOR 1973-74,
WE ALSO INTRODUCED AN ADDITIONAL FLOATING POOL OF
MILLION BUSHELS FOR STATES WHICH EXCEEDED THEIR QUOTA.
FOR THE 1974-75 CROP, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN WHEATGROWERS' FEDERATION
THAT THE BASE QUOTA SHOULD REMAIN AT 514 MILLION BUSHELS.
THE FLOATING POOL HAS BEEN INCREASED TO 74 MILLION BUSHELS.
liH FIRST ADVANCE PAYMENT OF $ 1.20 PER BUSHEL WILL APPLY,
IN ADDITION, AFTER NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE WHEATGROWERS'
FEDERATION AND THE GOVERNMENT, A NEW FIVE-YEAR STABILISATION,
PLAN FOR THE WHEAT INDUSTRY HAS BEEN FORMULATEr. I EXPECT
THAT WE SHALL BE MAKING A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WILL
ENCOURAGE WHEATGROWERS LATER THIS WEEK. ./ li
S. 4;
THE GOVERNMENT HAS SHOWN ITS CONCERN FOR THE MEAI
INDUSTRY DESPITE STRONG PRESSURES FOR RESTRICTIONS ON
THE EXPORT OF MEAT, WE REFUSED TO INTERFERE WITH THE
NORMAL MARKET FORCES WHICH DETERMINE THE QUANTITIES OF
MEAT RETAINED FOR THE DOMESTIC MARKET OR SENT FOR EXPORT.
THIS DECISION WAS TAKEN IN THE BELIEF THAT IT WAS IN THE
BEST LONG-TERM INTERESTS OF BOTH PRODUCER AND'CONSUMER.
THE PROVISION OF OVER $ 1 MILLION TO COMPENSATE OWNERS
OF REACTOR LIVESTOCK HAS ENABLED THE TUBERCULOSIS
ERADICATION CAMPAIGN TO BE ACCELERATED, IN ADDITION TO'
OUR PROPOSED ANIMAL HEALTH LABORATORY. THE GOVERNMENT
WILL ESTABLISH A BUREAU OF ANIMAL HEALTH WITHIN THE
S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. MR R. W. GEE HAS ALREADY:
BEEN APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU. IT IS ALSO
PROPOSED TO SET UP A NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH ADVISORY
COUNCIL ALONG THE LINES OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH AND
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL. THERE IS A REAL NEED TO
INTRODUCE A SINGLE MEAT INSPECTION SERVICE TO ELIMINATE
THE DUPLICATION AND INEFFICIENCY THAT ARISES FROM THE
PRESENT SYSTEM OF BOTH AUSTRALIAN AND STATE GOVERNMENTS
PROVIDING MEAT INSPECTION. DISCUSSIONS ARE BEING HELD
WITH THE STATES TO TRY TO REACH AGREEMENT ON A-SINGLE
SERVICE TO COVER ALL MEAT PREPARED IN AUSTRALIA FOR
LOCAL OR OVERSEAS CONSUMPTION.
A'.
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WE ARE BUILDING A STRONG EFFICIENT AND COMPETITIVE i
SUGAR INDUSTRY THE GQVERNMENT HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED THAT
. IT WILL CONTINUE THE NITROGENOUS FERTILISER SUBSIDY AFTER
DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR TO ASSIST SPECIAWSED REGIONAL
eGROWTH AND TO ENSURE CONTINUEA. LOCAL FERTILISER. PRODUCTION.
E. WANT TO ENSURE THAT AUSTRALiA IS NOT-AT THE MERCY F
OVERSEAS. SUPPLIERS OF FERTILIZER. THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES',
: THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ASSISTANCE TO SUGAR PRODUCERS AND
. THE HORTICULTURAL INDUSTRIES IN IRRIGATION AREAS WHERE
THERE IS A NEED TO MAINTAIN A HIGH LEVE OF SOIL FERTILITY.
9 1;
i' IICI
THE FRUIT GROWING INDUSTRY HAS PROBABLY SUFFERED
MORE THAN ANY OTHER RURAL INDUSTRY THROUGH RISING COSTS
OF PRODUCTION, INCREASING FREIGHT RATES AND CONTRACTING
SMARKETS To ASSIST THE INDUSTRY THE GOVERNMENT MAINTAINED
STA. 3LISATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR EXPORTS IN THE 1973 SEASON
THROUGH GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE OF $ 2.75 MILLION IT
SALSO MADE iAAILABLE IN THE 1973 SEASON ABOUT $ 1.6 MILLION
. TO HELP THE INDUSTRY ADJUST TO OUR REVALUATION OF THE 1
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR. FOR THE 1974 EXPORT SEASON, APART
FROM SUPPORT THROUGH STABILISATION, WE AGREED TO SUPPORT
A TASMANIAN GOVERNMENT SCHEME FOR THE SHIFMENT OF APPLES
To EUROPE AND THL "' ITED KINGDOM,. WITH A FINANCIAL.
COMMITMENT OF $ 2 MILLION. SiMILAR SCHEMES HAVE BEEN
AGREED TO WITH THE QUEENSLAND AND WESTERN AUSTRALIAN
S GOVERNMENTSe o / 13
-13
THEY HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO GIVE THE INDUSTRY A BREATHING
S SPACE SO THAT NECESSARY RESTRUCTURING MEASURES CAN BE
SPUT INTO EFFECT, WE HAVE REPLACED THE APPLE AND PEAR
BOARD WITH THE AUSTRALIAN APPLE AND PEAR CORPORATION, WHICH
WILL BE A SMALLER AND MORE EFFICIENT BODY WITH POWER TO
TRADE IN ITS OWN RIGHT IN FRESH FRUIT AND PROCESSED FRUIT
PRODUCTS,
. i A YEAR AT CURRENT PRICES.-Y
THERE IS ANOTHER BROAD THEME RUNNING THROUGH
OUR POLICIES AND IT IS THE BASIS OF ALL RURAL PROSPERITY.
THAT IS THE ENLARGEMENT OF MARKETS. . OUR BASIC OBJECTIVE FOR
RURAL EXPORTS IS TO PROVIDE A FIRM AND LASTING BASIS
FOR INCREASED TRADE IN RURAL COMMODITIES. SINCE DECEMBER
1972 THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONCLUDED MANY TRADE AGREEMENTS
OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO YOU AS FARMERS, I AM PROUD OF
THESE AGREEMENTS, I SHALL LIST THE MOST IMPORTANT OF
THEM. ' IN JULY 1973, WE SIGNED A TRADE AGREEMENT WITH
CHINA IN WHICH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED THE
PRINCIPLE OF LONG-TERM COMMODITY AGREEMENTS, AUSTRALIAN
RURAL PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THE AGREEMENT INCLUDE WHEAT.
AND OTHER GRAINS, SUGAR, WOOL. COTTON, TALLOW, HIDES AND
SKINS, BREEDING ANIMALS, PAPER AND PULP, A LONG TERM
CONTRACT WAS NEGOTIATED WITH CHINA FOR UP TO 4.7 MILLION
TONNES OF WHEAT OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS. AT CURRENT
PRICES, THIS WOULD BE WORTH MORE THAN $ 600 MILLION. CHINA
HAS ALSO SHOWN INTEREST IN LONG-TERM AGREEMENTS FOR OTHER
COMMODITIES, INCLUDING A SUGAR AGREEMENT WORTH $ 50 MILLION
144
333 7
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PRUDCTR. ANLI~. AIN AND-WOOL:
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iOLLtON 22 DECEMBERIA 1972, NOjATI00, ON E OFE
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PRDUTSINL4hN GA S A-TERM'..-
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A 193TETISIN TOAD AGRELKMENTAWS
FLLED Y SUBSONGTANTIAPLISALOF SUGAR0 TONN" ES OF
MIW6HENAT VALUED AT $ 5 MILLIHONR EAR POS* SIBLTE
FRC FURTHER ALES OF WHEATIAN' SUAfNALN" MBSS
DICUSINSOTHE SUPLLPIL. Y IS ALGOINTERESTE INMMLONG-STR
AGMNISN CLDING MYETE ANDTI YOEAPREDITEP HLICES O
GOVERNMEN EXPRSEO ITERT INIMORTNCATLE
.3i
S IMPORTANT AS OUR MAJOR EXPORT MARKETS ARE, WE
ARE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO AVOID TOO MUCH DEPENDENCE ON
ONE OR TWO MAJOR MARKETS FOR OUR PRIMARY PRODUCTS. TO
FURTHER EXPAND MARKETS FOR AUSTRALIA'S PRIMARY PRODUCTS,
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ESTABLISH AN OVERSEAS AGRICULTURAL
MARKETING SERVICE, . THE SERVICE WILL BE STAFFED BY
EXPERIENCED MARKETING MEN IN KEY MARKETS OF THE WORLD AND
SUPPORTED BY THE NECESSARY FACILITIES IN AUSTRALIA,
SITS ROLE WILL BE TO IDENTIFY AND MEASURE MARKET
OPPORTUNITIES, PROVIDE MARKET INTELLIGENCE AND UP-TO-DATE
INFORMATION ON LOCAL MARKET CONDITIONS AND REGULATIONS,
TO INVESTIGATE DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS, AND TO CO-ORDINATEPROMOTION
PROGRAMS, / 16
A : TRADE AGREEMENT WAS CONCLUDED : WITHTHE L. SS.,. R
S LAST YEAR WHICH LISTED MEAT. DAIRY PRODUCTS, GRAINS,
FRUIT, SUGAR, HONEY, WINEf OILSEEDS AND WOOL AS POTENTIAL
FXPORTS, THE' ABOR GOVERNMENT IS MORE INVOLVED IN THE
VITAL QUESTION OF MARKETING PRIMARY PRODUCTS THAN ANY
S PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, WE BELIEVE A GOVERNMENT'S ROLE
IN AGRICULTURE EXTENDS BEYOND STABILISATION SCHEMES INTO
THE FIELD OF HANDLING, TRANSPORTING AND SELLING THE
PRODUCT, i
r 8-COM O A QUESTION OF. PARTICULAR INTEREST TO
V
THE SMALL FARMER -THE FUTURE OF CO-OPERATIVES,
S SHORTLY AFTWR'HE BECAME INISTER FOR PRIMARY
INDUSTRY. KEN* WRI EDT CALLED FOR A REPORT ON THE ROLE, OF
FARMER COOPERATIYES IN AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE, ' iE WASa
TOLD THATi WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS'THE CO-OPERATIVES WERE
UNDERCAPITALISED AND FACING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS, GENERALLY
SPEAKING, THE CO-OPERATIVES, HAVE BEENUNABLE TO COMPETE WITH.,
. FOREIGN-OWNED CORPORATIONS IN THE PROCESSING AND MARKETING
OF AGRICULTURALAND FOOD PRODUCTS, THE LABOR PARTY BELIEVES
IN CO-OPERATIVES. WE BELIEVE THEY PROVIDE AN IDEAL FORM IN
WHICH FARMERS CAN MAXIMISE THEIR RETURNS AND ADJUST THEIR.
PRODUCTION TO CHANGING CONSUMER NEEDS.
FOR THESE REASONS WE BEGAN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE
CO-QPFRATIVE MOVEMENT ON WAYS OF ASSISTING THEM, AS A
RESULT THE CO-0PERATIV FEDERATION. OF AUSTRALIA HAS DECIDED
TO ESTABLISH A SECRETARIAT IN CANBERRA i. iJ THE GOVERNMENT HAS
l... IED TO ESTABLISH A FARMER CO-OPERATIVE SERVIE WITHIN THE
DEPARTML'T OF AGRICULTURE, THE FIRST TASI( KOF BOTH GROUPS
WILL BE TO CO-O0PERATE'IN A MAJOR STUDY OF THE AIMS AND
OBJECTIVES OF FARMER CO-OPERATIVES IN AUSTRALIA.
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THE STUDY WILL LOOK AT THE LAWS AFFECTING COOPERATIVES1
THEIR INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL NEEDS, METHODS OF IMPROVING
THEIR-EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY# THEIR MANAGEMENT TRAINING
NEEDS AND OTHER MATTERS, THE BOVERNMENT SOUGHT TO HELP
CO'OPERATIVES RAISE CAPITAL FOR NEW VENTURES BY EXPANDING THE'
POWER'OF THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY D9VELOPMENT CORPORATION TO*'
ENABLE IT TO ASSIST CO-OPERATIVES THIS INITIATIVE HAS BEEN
. TWICE BLOCKED BY THE LIBERAL/ COUNTRY PARTIES IN THE SENATE,
WE REAFFIRM OUR SUPPORT FOR THE CO-OPERATIVE
MOVEMENT. GLADLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRESENCE TONIGHT OF
SMR. JOHN BEYTAGH, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEWLY FORMED
AGRICULTURAL COMMITTEE OF THE CO-OPERATIVE FEDERATION OF
AUSTRAL IA.
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I FE Pn) REASON WHY FARN' 67S SH'OULD LACK CONFIDENCE
IN WhEIR FUTUR~ E UNIJEN A VYGOR iS ANDO G' 71AP-X GOVERNMENT.
YOU CAN BlE SUrZE ThIAT MORE THAIJ A0 TXI GOES ON, THE.
WORLD WILL NEED AND DEMAND YOUR PPRODUCTS. INITIALLY WE
HAD TO T AKE GOME T OUGH DEC I S I GS I Tti I NT ER E 3TS 0OF
EFFICIENCY AND. FAIRNESS, THE UFT! 0,7AL OF SON'-. YA4' CONCESSIONS
AND SUBSIDIES LAST YEAR WAS UNPOPULAR WXTH ThIV FARtltlt-i
COMMUN17Y, WE DID N'OT EXPECT TO ZE POPULAR9 I SIMPLY ASK YOU
TO REMEMBiER THAT THESE CONCLESSIOilS AND SUDSID1ES WERE NOT REALLY
HELPING YOU. WE HAVE REPLACED THEM. WIT4$ MUCH NORE VALUABLE
BENEFITS, YOUR LONG-TERM PROSPECTS ARE STRONGER IN CONSEQUENCE@...
TiERE IS EVERY REASON TO HOPE THAT THE WORST DAYS
FOR AUSTRALIAN FARMERS ARE OVER, TIE'SEVERE RECESSION OF
THE EARLY 70s NEED NOT HAPPEN1 AGAINv F'RIVID3ED WE ADOPT THE
RIGHT POLICIES Nt" Al PND FOR THE FUTURE. 1415. ER THE LABOR
Gov~ maliaT WE19 HAVE SEEK' THE FIRST S iC--. 1ICAUT POST-WAR FALL
FOR MANY~ J YEARS IN TH=-INDEBTEDNESS OF PJRA" L P11Z) UCERS,
IN 1971 THEz BuREAU OF AGRICULY8' r. L ELgCsR EPORTED THAT'
7,570 A JSTRALIAN FARMERS APPLIED FOR AS . SISTANCE FROM THE RURAL
RECONSTMUCTION BOARD, THIS YEAR THE FIGURE IS T) OVJ' TO 523
APPLICATION4SI OUR POLICIES TO RAISE THE LIVING S7ANDARDS OF ALL
AUS. TRALIANS WILL ATTACK THE CRUCIAL PROLLEMS OF RURAL POVFRTY.
VIE CAHNOT IGNORE THE CHILLING FACTS SHGWN IN THE INTERIM REPORT
OF THE tOMSINO INQUIRY INTO0 PGVF rZT' THAT ONE IN FOUR
FAMILIES IN COUNTRY TOWNS LIVE IN POVERTY OR'NEAR-POVERTY,
.1/ 19.
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THR9R MOR PORFMLEtNASRL ON YT N
DTERMAIREE MORE OO FAMNIRL EN UALASCNRYI ATON
AND PROSPEROUS AUSTRALIA, FAR( 4 INCOMES, DESPITF A RECENT
DOWNTURN INWOOL AND PRICES, WII. L CONTINUE TO RISE, YOUR
* MARKETS W I L4 CONT INUF, TO EXPANP, I? 4' KEN WRIEDT * t~ U HAVE
THE ABLF. ST* BEST INF. ORMEP, MOST. ' ACTIVE AND IRTELLIGENT
MINISTER EVER APPOINTED TO ADMINISTER P* RIMARY INDUSTRY.
IN OUR RECENT.-GREEN PAPfR ON RURAL* INDUSTRY YOU HAVE THE
BEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE BASIS FOR INFORMED. GOVERNMENT
POLICIES ON RURAL INDUSTRY EVER DRAWN UP IN AUSTRALIA,
IN OUR INDUSTRIEs . ASSISTANCE COMMISSION YOU HAVE THE MOST.
EXPERT'AND FFFICIENT INSTRUMENT FOR GUARANTEEING T* HE STRENGTH
* AND STABILITY OF. OUR RURAL INDUSTRIES EVER APPOINTED IN
* AUSTRALIA. ALLTHESE TH4IQS PROVIDE FIRM GROUNDS FOR
*. CONFIDENCE AND FAITH IN THE FUTURE. -3oNOBT3E TAKEN INi
BY THE PROPAGANDA OF OUR OPPONENTS, OUR POLICIES ARE
flSIGNED TO ENSURE THAT ALL POSSIBLE MARK~ ETS ARE OBTAINED FOR
* CUR PRIMARY EXPORTS* THAT MARKETING SYSTEMS ARE EFFICIENT,
* THAT PKR ' UCTS GROWN ARE THOSE IN DEMAND, THAT OUR FARMERS
IlCREASE ' THEIR ALRL.-Y HIGH LEVgLS OF EFFICIENCY AND THAT
ALL AUSTRALIANS IN RURAL Aiii.. ENJOY EDUCATIONAL, hlEALTH#.
AND LIVING STANDARDS EQUAL. TO ANY IN AUSTRALIA AND A~ NY IN
THE* WORLD.