QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator LIDDLE (South Australia) (14:34): An AUSVEG survey of 150 growers found 27 per cent had reduced or stopped planting, 13 per cent were considering it and growers cutting back had done so by an average of 30 per cent, while 19 per cent had decided not to harvest existing crops because of soaring costs and supply uncertainty. AUSVEG warns the impact on consumers will be felt immediately.

Minister, how can your government claim this crisis is under control when Australian families are staring down higher prices and less fresh food on supermarket shelves?