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Temora Women's Gathering

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Subjects -  Women; Rural Conditions; Ministry: New South Wales
Business - Deferred Answers, Questions Without Notice
Commentary - Asked by Melinda Pavey on 14 October 2003


    TEMORA WOMEN'S GATHERING
Page: 5085


    On 14 October the Hon. Melinda Pavey asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries a question without notice relating to the Temora women's gathering. The Minister has provided the following answer:

    NSW Agriculture advises that Paterson's curse is one of over 1,500 weeds that occur in New South Wales. It is an annual plant which germinates from residual seed in the soil in autumn, grows through winter, flowers and sets seed in spring and dies in early summer.
            The weed is already very widespread throughout New South Wales. It is declared a noxious weed in many districts but some local authorities have determined that it is now so widespread that it is no longer feasible to impose mandatory controls through declaring it noxious.
            The prolific growth of Paterson's curse this spring is an expected result of the drought and very dry conditions last summer.
            While Paterson's curse is very obvious with its purple flowers, it has minimal impact on crops Paterson's curse is at times quite toxic to grazing animals, especially to horses. Fortunately selective grazers, such as cattle, avoid it
            NSW Agriculture, along with CSIRO and the CRC for Australian Weed Management, have introduced six insects that attack this weed. These insects include a leaf-miner, crown weevil, root weevil, flea beetle, stem borer and pollen beetle. NSW Agriculture officers, are helping local council weed officers breed and spread these insects throughout the State.
            The NSW Government spends over $7 million each year in grants to help control noxious weeds such as Paterson's curse

    I have already advised the House of my activities at the time of the Gathering.
            I am advised that the Director-General of NSW Agriculture, Dr Richard Sheldrake, was fulfilling a prior commitment
            I was particularly grateful that Mrs Marie Russell, the co-chair with Dr Sheldrake of the Rural Women's Network State Advisory Committee, agreed to open the Women's Gathering on our behalf.
            I was also grateful that, in her opening speech, Mrs Russell expressed her appreciation for the support provided by myself and Dr Sheldrake, for rural women generally and Women's Gatherings in particular.
            I would like to place on record my appreciation to Mrs Marie Russell, not only for opening the Temora Gathering on my behalf, but for the outstanding service she has provided to rural women over many years.


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