KEY agricultural issues of live animal export, genetically modified (GM) crops, industry education and training and foreign investment were debated by young members of WA's top Qpolitical parties at State Parliament early last week.
Organised by WAFarmers' AgConnectWA group, the mock parliament was held in the Legislative Assembly and included representatives from WA Young Labor, WA Young Liberals, The Young Nationals and WA Young Greens and was overseen by Members of Parliament Jacqui Boydell, Darren West, Robin Chappel and Chris Hatton.
This is the first time the event was run, with more than 80 people attending to either participate or watch the often fiery debate.
AgConnectWA president Wes Lefroy said they wanted to hold the event to raise the level of interest in issues facing the agricultural industry.
"Most people outside of agriculture would have a limited view on the issues or not have a good understanding of the impact they can have," Mr Lefroy said.
"The evening also meant we all got to share ideas and it was a great way to stimulate discussion and encourage people to really research issues beyond what they would see on social media."
Each party was given the opportunity to speak and debate on four motions presented.
First motion - genetically modified organisms (GMOs) do not have a place in Australian agriculture
WA Young Greens representative Rai Ismail said the party supported a "resilient, sustainable agriculture" that was protected from mining and urban sprawl.
Ms Ismail spoke for the motion and said the party took a precautionary approach to GMOs and there were "great risks involved" in growing GM crops.
"We are yet to understand the long-term implications of growing GM and the potential health risks," she said.
WA Young Labor was also for the motion, with Daniel Reeves saying the current WA legislation meant there was a "free for all" on GMOs and no protection for those at risk of GMO contamination.
"Consumers are voting with their feet and do not want to eat GMOs," Mr Reeves said.
"Plus, 68pc of WA growers are still not interested in growing GMOs."
Speaking against the motion, The Young Nationals representative Dylan Hurst said GMOs had a key part to play in farming.
"This is the next technology in plant breeding and there is a poor understanding of how GM works."
WA Young Liberals were also against the motion, saying the "blind blanket ideology" in relation to GMOs that was promoted by the Greens and Labor parties "was gravely irresponsible".
Second motion - government should increase expenditure to agricultural training facilities
WA Young Labor supported the motion and said an increase in funding for agricultural training was imperative to ensure "growers remained smart".
"This will aid the long-term competitiveness of the industry and increase opportunities in agriculture through training."
WA Young Greens also supported the motion as a way of WA to transition from the mining boom and keep regional communities thriving.
However, both The Young Nationals and WA Young Liberals spoke against the motion.
The Young Nationals said rather than spend money on offering more courses, funds would be better used towards the shortage of skilled labour in the industry.
Third motion - live export should remain an industry for Australian agriculture
The motion was supported by The Young Nationals, whose spokesperson criticised WA Young Greens and WA Young Labor opposition to the industry.
"The industry promotes interaction and harmony between cultures and is an important industry that employs 13,000 people in WA."
WA Young Greens spoke against the motion and instead promoted its five-point plan to phase out the industry, which it called an "inherently cruel trade in suffering."
The party proposed that meat processing be encouraged in Australia, removing trade distortion and an end to subsidies to the industry.
It also said this would boost skills to increased chilled meat processing, working with industry to ensure a smooth transition away from live animal export and establishing an independent office for animal welfare.
Fourth motion - the government should not support foreign ownership of Australian agricultural land
Despite being in favour of foreign investment, WA Young Liberals and The Young Nationals were against ownership, with The Young Nationals WA president Lachlan Hunter quoting Barnaby Joyce that Australia "was open for business but not to sell the shop".
Both WA Young Greens and Young Labor spoke against the motion and said they welcomed foreign investment.
