‘Dog's breakfast': Karl Stefanovic slams US beef deal, David Pocock backs inquiry calls
Trade Minister Don Farrell on Sunday said the US President raised the issue directly with Anthony Albanese in one of the three phone conversations the leaders shared.
The Prime Minister said that was incorrect, and on Tuesday Stefanovic put criticism of the beef deal to Labor frontbencher Amanda Rishworth.
'I think he has clarified his comments,' Ms Rishworth said of Senator Farrell.
'We've discussed it on this show, that Donald Trump made public his issues around beef imports and exports. That was not a secret.
'I think this is making a mountain out of a molehill. Quite frankly, just silly politics on the side.
'What's important here is putting forward our best foot forward, for the national interest, to be prosecuting our case with the US, and that's what our government will keep doing.'
Stefanovic suggested the US beef deal had become a shambles and asked senator David Pocock what needed to happen.
'David, do you think there should be an inquiry? I mean, it's starting to look more and more like a dog's breakfast,' Stefanovic said.
'I think there's real questions to answer around the timing of this,' the senator replied.
'And on the bigger issue, who's going to buy American beef? We have some of the best beef in the world here in Australia. I certainly won't be buying US beef.
'I think a lot of Australians will see it on the shelf, if it even gets here, and say 'well, I'm going to support Australia'.'
The Coalition has already called for an inquiry into the beef deal, arguing the government has put biosecurity at risk as a bargaining chip for a US tariff exemption.
The Coalition wants a Senate inquiry into the government backflip, citing the timing of the decision amid stalled tariff negotiations.
Labor has rejected claims of the link to ongoing tariff discussions, saying the decision follows a lengthy review undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, which found new tracing protocols eliminated risks posed by beef sourced from Canada and Mexico but slaughtered in the US.
However, Nationals Leader David Littleproud said an inquiry was required to give 'assurance' that 'Labor isn't sacrificing our high biosecurity standards'.
As of Monday, July 28, Australian businesses were able to apply for import licences to get US fresh beef and beef products.
Mr Littleproud has accused Agriculture Minister Julie Collins of ignoring advice regarding oversight by independent scientific experts.
'Minister Collins needs to explain why the advice of the Inspector-General of Biosecurity wasn't considered and why it has fallen on deaf ears when it comes to such an important decision,' Mr Littleproud said in a statement released Tuesday morning.
'Is Labor willing to undermine Australia's high biosecurity, just so Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump?'
In question time on Monday, Mr Littleproud asked Ms Collins if the Inspector-General's recommendations had been implemented.
Risk-based assessments were done by department staff on a scientific basis, she said.
'We have not compromised on biosecurity at all in any way, shape or form, and the member opposite would know, of course, we've had to put around $2bn additional into biosecurity since we came to office because of the way they left our biosecurity system,' Ms Collins said.
'The other thing I would say to the member opposite is he would be aware that this decision has been coming for some time.
'The US and Australia traceability systems are equivalent and that the decision has been taken, based on science, around the US system and the Australian traceability system, and all food imported into Australia must be safe and compliant with our food standards.
'This has been done on a scientific basis.'
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