David Littleproud gets a chance to ask a question:

Can the Minister confirm if the Inspector-General of biosecurity’s recommendations that import risk assessments should include the oversight of a scientific advisory panel were implemented in the decision to overturn US beef import bans? If not, why not?

Julie Collins:

I thank the Leader of The Nationals for that question. As the member opposite knows, this was a risk based assessment done by the department on scientific evidence and the department officials have gone through the process and the report was popped up on the website last week, and as the member would know Australia benefits from a two-way trade system.

Australian beef going to the US is very significant indeed. What I would say to the member opposite is that he should not be undermining Australia’s biosecurity system.

We have not compromised on biosecurity at all in any way, shape or form, and the member opposite would know of course we have had to put around $2 billion additional into biosecurity since we came to office because of the way they left our biosecurity system.

The other thing I would say to the member opposite is, of course, he would be aware that that decision has been coming for some time. He would know all about the process that I have spoken about. He would know about the industry engagement that has occurred throughout this process.

The other thing that he would know is that the US and Australia traceability systems are equivalent and that the decision has been taken based on science around the US system and the Australian traceability system and, of course, all food imported into Australia must be safe and compliant with our food standards. This has been done on a scientific basis. The member opposite would know that the department’s security assessment is done in the usual manner as it is done for every other imports into this country.