Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee

The majority voted in favour of the motion introduced by Queensland Senator Pauline Hanson (One Nation), which means it succeeded and the inquiry will take place.

Motion text

That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by the third sitting day in March 2020:

The performance of Australia's dairy industry and the profitability of Australian dairy farmers since deregulation in 2000, with particular reference to:

(a) the ability of Dairy Australia to act independently and support the best interests of both farmers and processors;

(b) the accuracy of statistical data collected by Dairy Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics;

(c) the funding of Dairy Australia and the extent of its consultation and engagement on the expenditure of levies revenue;

(d) the merits of tasking the ACCC to investigate how it can regulate the price of milk per litre paid by processors to dairy farmers to ensure a viable dairy industry;

(e) alternative approaches to supporting a viable dairy sector;

(f) the introduction of a mandatory industry code of practice; and

(g) any related matters.