Mr LLOYD —My question is addressed to the Minister for Trade and is relevant to the Australian community, unlike those asked opposite. Can the minister inform the House whether exporters are in favour of waterfront reform—

Opposition members interjecting—

Mr SPEAKER —Honourable members will remain silent. The honourable member for Robertson has the call.

Mr LLOYD —I will ask my question again. Can the minister inform the House whether exporters are in favour of waterfront reform and what is the significance of the waterfront dispute on Australian trade policy?

Mr TIM FISCHER (Trade; Deputy Prime Minister) —I thank the honourable member for his question. I respect the work of the member with regard to building on our export efforts, particularly from the Central Coast area of New South Wales.

I am pleased to be able to inform the House that Seafreight, the official journal of Liner Shipping Services, the body representing Australian shipping interests, recently reported a survey of 750 businesses by the New South Wales Chamber of Commerce on the waterfront. In answer to four questions, which I draw to the attention of the House, the following was the response: `Do you believe the overall performance of the Sydney waterfront is unreliable?' Yes—81 per cent. `Do you believe this waterfront performance is inhibiting your business growth?' Yes—81 per cent. `Do you support the introduction of competition on the waterfront?' Yes—88 per cent. `Do you support the federal government in pushing for waterfront reform, even if it meant disputation and disruption on the waterfront?' A resounding yes—90 per cent.

That is the level of support. That is why Australian exporters' support for waterfront reform is not just comprehensive, not just widespread but absolutely overwhelming.

Opposition members interjecting—

Mr TIM FISCHER —Clearly they are very sensitive about this issue—no questions, no policy, no commitment and no achievement in their 13 years of government with regard to waterfront reform.

There is another poll relevant to the answer to the member's question. I refer to the Rural Press farmpoll in The Land of 12 February. In that poll the question was asked: `Do you support the NFF setting up its own stevedoring operation?' The answer from cropping farmers was yes, 86 per cent; from woolgrowers was yes, 94 per cent; from beef producers was yes, 90 per cent; from dairy farmer was yes, 94 per cent; total farmers in support of the NFF stevedoring operation, another resounding yes, with 90 per cent.

The support continues to roll in. In a media release from the Australian Meat Council dated 25 March, Executive Director Christopher Creal said that the red meat export industry is fully in support of a competitive waterfront marketplace and, effectively, the sooner the better.

Yes, I am honest enough to admit there was a little bit of static—not from this mob with any effect—on AM this morning. I just happen to have a letter from R. J. Quirk, Executive Director of the Australian Council of Wool Exporters Inc. I quote from the letter:

Further to our conversation earlier today, I would confirm that the wool exporting community totally disassociates itself from the recent comments made by Mr Frank Beaufort regarding Patrick Stevedores.

The coalition government, including the minister, Peter Reith, are trying to get our waterfront truly internationally competitive—and the sooner the better for the sake of all our exporters. To all of this I would add just one other thing.

Mr Kerr interjecting—

Mr SPEAKER —The honourable member for Denison.

Mr Kerr —Nice clean war.

Mr SPEAKER —I warn the honourable member for Denison.

Mr TIM FISCHER —We support fair pay for fair work and we support every shift on the waterfront being as productive as the stripper shifts, and the sooner the better.