House debates

Thursday, 18 November 2010

Adjournment

Riverina Electorate: Citrus Industry

4:59 pm

Photo of Michael McCormackMichael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I rise today to alert the House to a serious disease threat to one of the important agricultural industries in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, in my electorate of Riverina. The citrus industry based around Griffith, Leeton and Hillston comprises 8½ thousand hectares. It is the largest citrus-growing region in Australia, produces about 200,000 tonnes of fresh oranges and juice every year, exports about a third of its crop and has a retail value of around $500 million. The Riverina citrus industry has watched with growing alarm the devastation caused by—

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! It being 5 pm, the debate is interrupted.