Save the Single Desk

Australian farmers need a single desk wheat export authority to maintain their presence in the international market.

This market is filled with wheat exports from other nations whose farmer’s receive many domestic subsidies and enjoy high levels of tariff protection. Aussie farmers do not have this luxury, hence the reason why the maintenance of a single desk is so vital.

A single overseas seller of wheat allows Australian farmers to pool their resources and maintain a competitive advantage. This petition is calling for the maintenance of a single desk wheat export system...not the defence of the unethical actions of individuals working for AWB.

Peak farm bodies such as the various state based farmers federations have voiced their unanimous opinion that the single desk should be maintained. The Independent Member for New England, Mr. Tony Windsor, recently released results of a survey conducted of 3,500 wheat farmers who were quizzed about their views regarding a single desk export system. The results showed that 82.7% of farmers wanted the single desk maintained (Source: The Australian, 'Wheat farmers turn up the heat.' Taylor, P. March 30, 2007).

So far, the only major political party to stand in unequivocal defence of the single desk is The Nationals whose members have been quite outspoken on the topic. Labor and the Liberals need to be convinced that the single desk is an issue that those in the community who support Australian farmers are passionate about. The two ways to affirm this are to sign the petition and through exercising your democratic right, to vote for candidates in the upcoming Federal election who support the single desk.

The power is in the hands of not only the Australian rural population, but the entire nation.