Senator Bill Heffernan, Liberal Senator for NSW announced recently the establishment of a Senate Select Committee on Agricultural and Related Industries. The Committee will initially inquire into and report on the pricing and supply arrangements in the Australian and global chemical and fertiliser markets. The inquiry will look at the implications for Australian farmers of world chemical and fertiliser supply and pricing arrangements, monopolistic and cartel behaviour and related matters.
Senator Heffernan said "the pricing and supply of fertilisers has the potential to have a detrimental impact on our agricultural industries and needed urgent investigation. It is important that farmers document their difficulty in not only gaining supply but also the firm pricing over recent months."
The Committee comprises Senator Heffernan (Chair), Senator Kerry O'Brien (TAS), Senator Mary-Jo Fisher (SA), Senator Christine Milne (TAS), Senator Fiona Nash (NSW) and Senator
Glenn Sterle (WA).
Submissions are invited and should be lodged at agriculture.sen@aph.gov.au or with the Committee Secretary, Senate Select Committee on Agricultural and Related Industries, Department of the Senate, PO Box 6100, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 by Thursday, 3 April. If you wish to make a confidential submission please contact the committee secretary on (02) 6277 3510. The reporting date is 16 June. For information about the inquiry visit www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/agric_ctte/tor.htm
Senator Heffernan said "the Committee is prepared to receive confidential submissions so that witnesses can speak freely without fear of intimidation or retaliation; this has been flagged as a real concern from some stakeholders wishing to make a submission."
The Committee is expected to report to the Senate on or before 16 June 2008.
