Fed: Country voters will rebel against govt: O'Connor

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2004
Fed: Country voters will rebel against govt: O'Connor

CANBERRA, Aug 30 AAP - Country voters would rebel against the federal government's
poor handling of quarantine issues, Labor's primary affairs spokesman Gavan O'Connor said
today.

Mr O'Connor said voters in marginal regional seats were particularly angry at the way
the government was compromising the quarantine safety of the banana, apple, pear and pork
industries.

His comment follows the decision by quarantine watchdog Biosecurity Australia to release
another draft import risk assessment into a proposal to allow the importation of bananas
from the Philippines.

A decision by Biosecurity to approve, under strict measures, the importation of pork
is now being challenged by Australian Pork Ltd in the Federal Court.

And apple and pear growers are fearful that New Zealand apples may soon be imported.

Mr O'Connor said it was clear many industries were upset and angry at how the government
had handled quarantine issues.

He said the decision to release another draft assessment of bananas, that will not
be available publicly until after the election, showed the government was running scared
on the issue.

"I think this is one of the seminal issues that the government will have trouble with
in key marginal seats," he told AAP.

"You've got apple and pear growers, banana growers, pork producers, all angry because
this government has mishandled the quarantine issues facing this country."

Mr O'Connor said there was also anger at the government's handling of the retail grocery
code of conduct, which Labor has promised to strengthen in a bid to protect farmers and
small business operators.

He said Labor would release a comprehensive agriculture policy during the duration
of the campaign, including new announcements and those already made.

Federal Labor would work with the state Labor governments on a national approach to
native vegetation law reform.

"We've indicated that on the vegetation law issue that we would like an agreement with
the states similar to the one on water," he said.

Mr O'Connor plans to tour regional seats to sell the party's agricultural credentials.

He said there was a depth of feeling among country people about the government's handling
of rural and regional issues that would surface on polling day.

AAP sw/cjh/jlw

KEYWORD: POLL04 RURAL

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