WAFARMERS has reaffirmed its opposition to privatising Fremantle Port and called on the State government to develop a long-term ports and access infrastructure plan.
It also called on the government to make a dedicated livestock facility stage one of a wider Kwinana industrial area and containerised outer harbour development, and disputed the government's 25-year time line on the need for such a project.
"Having considered the most up-to-date information available and done due diligence on behalf of our members and the wider agricultural community, WAFarmers does not support the privatisation of any monopoly State-owned asset or assets," WAFarmers president Tony York said on Friday last week.
"We understand that the State government needs to relinquish some assets to assist in offsetting the State's debt and, to this end, our role is to act as a check-and-balance on the process to ensure the best possible outcome is achieved for our members and the agricultural industry.
"Given the information available and our consultations, we do not support the privatisation of monopoly infrastructure unless there are clear benefits for WA agriculture," he said.
His comments came a day after Farm Weekly reported on Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) concerns that the lease of the port to a private
Mal Gill
Wool and dairy writer for Farm Weekly.
Wool and dairy writer for Farm Weekly.
