Page 1070 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MR BARR (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation) (5.15): I would like to begin by thanking Ms Porter for raising this matter today. She has certainly highlighted a number of very important issues and has proposed a measured and sensible course of action that I would put forward to the Assembly as offering the best chance for real and enduring change for egg farming in the territory.
As Ms Porter has highlighted, Parkwood farm is a key element of the Pace Farm business and a small but nonetheless very important part of the territory economy. I find myself in rare agreement with those opposite in relation to the importance of blue-collar jobs in our economy, and 60 blue-collar jobs in a sector that is under-represented in our economy and that supports $3 million of economic activity each year should not be lightly dismissed.
I observed at lunchtime in the press conference that there is a certain element of middle-class snobbery that goes with just seeking to abandon these jobs. I do not believe that that is the correct way to achieve change. In the context of what we have already heard this afternoon, and what I am sure we will hear, it certainly provides an opportunity for the different strands of political opinion within this place to be aired and for practical outcomes to be at the forefront of what should be the final decision of the Assembly in my view.
To quote an oft-used phrase, Ms Le Couteur, I think you should let the good become the enemy of the perfect in relation to getting an outcome on something that I acknowledge you are very passionate about and something that you and a number of others have campaigned extensively about. But there are ways that you achieve change, and it should not come at the cost of blue-collar jobs in our economy.
The government values the important contribution that this business makes, but we also acknowledge the divisive nature of caged egg production. We acknowledge the repeated calls from this Assembly and from members of the Canberra community for improved animal welfare and better conditions at poultry farms both here and across the country.
However, as Ms Porter has rightly indicated, and it has certainly been the position of this parliament on the number of occasions that it has been debated here, banning caged egg production in the ACT is not the solution for facilitating operational change at the Parkwood farm. All this would succeed in doing is forcing the operation across the border. And the relocation of the operation would of course mean the relocation of jobs and the transfer of activity across the border. The same number of eggs would still be produced by the same number of hens, just at a different farm under a different name in a different jurisdiction. Whilst there might be some comfort for some that the activity was no longer taking place within the ACT’s borders, ultimately it does little to solve a larger problem.
This phenomenon of wanting to feel good I have heard described at various points as a bit like peeing in a wet suit—it might feel good but, ultimately, it does not achieve a huge amount. If we are serious about getting an outcome here, it is important that we support the motion that Ms Porter has put forward.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video