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The Hon. R. T. M. BULL: My question is addressed to the Special Minister of State, representing the Minister for Agriculture. I preface my question by stating that I would have preferred to have directed the question to the leader of Country Labor but he has left the Chamber.
The Hon. M. R. Egan: That is me.
The Hon. R. T. M. BULL: No, the Treasurer is a city person. Is he aware of criticism from the Australian Dairy Industry Council regarding Country Labor's plans to introduce a floor price for the dairy industry? Is he also aware that the chairman of the council, Pat Rowley, has labelled the plan a cruel hoax that will build up false expectations among some producers? Why has Country Labor put forward a plan which is ultimately unsustainable and opposed by the industry?
The Hon. J. J. DELLA BOSCA: I am not in a position to answer the question asked by the honourable member. Clearly, in common with most matters concerning Country Labor and those that the Hon. R. T. M. Bull brings to the attention of the House, this is a matter that needs to be taken very seriously and requires the full attention of the portfolio Minister whom I represent. I will ask my colleague to provide an answer as soon as possible.