Senator Joyce said the writing is on the wall for Australian wheat growers when the president of US Wheat Associates, Mr Alan Tracy, thanks the Australian Agricultural Minister, Tony Burke, for reducing the market advantage of our Australian product by removing the effect of the single desk.

“It is perverse that we have rolled over without a fight and it appears this has gained wide political support here in Australia. It will be interesting to watch the vote to give US wheat growers a distinct advantage over our growers when the vote goes to the Australian Senate. Will Australian Senators support the views of their state or not?

“Mr Tracy's assertion (ABC Country Hour, 6 March 2008) that the Australians had an unfair marketing advantage with the single desk, but this will now be removed, should leave all who assisted with a real sense of accomplishment here in Australia (that statement is meant to be ironic). I am sure the US grain firms, who will quickly take control of key aspects of the Australian market, will make sure the problems they had in the past with our marketing advantage never arise again.

“It will be interesting to see whether Senator Norm Coleman in representing Minnesota, USA, and Senator Tom Harkin, representing Iowa, USA, will be able to rely on Australian Senators representing their respective states to support them in removing the Australian wheat growers marketing advantage.” Senator Joyce said.