CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr RICK WILSON (O'Connor) (10:40): I rise today to speak on the existential threat to one of Australia's most important export industries, an industry worth between $21 billion and $27 billion. It underpins jobs, investment and economic activity throughout regional Australia. I acknowledge Minister Julie Collins is here in the chamber today.

Western Australian grain growers delivered a record harvest of over 26 million tonnes last season. The grain industry supports thousands of jobs, drives economic activity throughout regional communities and contributes significantly to Australia's export earnings. This success is built on world-leading productivity and efficient supply chains, from farm gate to international markets.

However, many growers, grain handlers and exporters are deeply concerned about the impending implementation of new workplace exposure limits for phosphine, due to commence on 1 December 2026. Phosphine is the principal fumigant used to control insect pests in stored grain. Effective fumigation is essential to maintain grain quality, protecting market access and meeting the expectations of customers both here and overseas.

Under the proposed changes, the allowable workplace exposure limit for phosphine will be reduced from 0.3 parts per million to 0.05 parts per million. Without the ability to control grain insects while in storage, exporters will be unable to receive a phytosanitary certificate from AQIS and Australia's grain exports will grind to a halt. The current 0.3 parts per million limit is recognised internationally and has been safely used across major grain-exporting nations.

Industry participants are concerned that a sixfold reduction will create significant operational challenges without clear evidence of corresponding improvement in safety outcomes. Industry leaders have advised me they are unaware of any reported injuries, hospitalisations or deaths resulting from phosphine contamination in Australian grain-handling operations.

That reflects the strong safety culture already in place across the industry. The concern being raised is that these new requirements cannot be implemented practically across an industry that handles tens of millions of tonnes of grain every year. In recent weeks, WorkSafe Victoria announced a proposal to delay the implementation of 15 workplace exposure limits, including for phosphine, until 1 December 2029 to provide grain handlers additional time to comply with these new limits.

That proposal acknowledges the significant practical and operational questions that remain unresolved. Western Australian farmers, grain handlers and regional communities deserve the same level of consideration before changes of this magnitude are imposed on one of Australia's most important export industries. If the government gets this wrong, they risk burdening and potentially decimating an industry worth between $21 billion and $27 billion.

We are fast running out of time on a change which, if it proceeds, threatens an entire industry. I call on the WA government to back WA grain growers, support WA's $7 billion grain industry and rescind the ban immediately. (Time expired)