Mr GEE (Calare) (11:16): I second this motion and commend the member for Kennedy for bringing it forward. He really is a fighter for the people of Kennedy whom he represents. He's a fighter for Queensland, and he's a fighter for Australia. As the member for Kennedy has already explained to this House, Australia has worked hard to remain free from many diseases that are the scourge of other food-producing countries. We simply can't afford to risk Australia's agricultural industries. The value of agricultural production in this country is about $90 billion each year. In my part of the world, the Central West of New South Wales, we view it as the food basket of the nation, and we know how important protecting Australia's biosecurity is. Our country has a wonderful friendship with the Philippines. We fought alongside the Philippines for the liberation of that country during the Second World War, and both countries cherish democracy. However, I'm very concerned that allowing these imports potentially opens the door to diseases such as banana freckle, moco and black sigatoka. These types of diseases could decimate Australia's banana industry and wreak havoc across the broader agricultural sector. Think of all the jobs that are at stake: 15,000 in the banana industry. The whole industry is at stake here. It's worth $1.3 billion. As the member for Kennedy also eloquently pointed out, New South Wales has been dealing with the devastating impact of varroa mite, as has Queensland. That outbreak led to extensive biosecurity measures, severely affecting the state's beekeeping industry. Pollination-dependent crops such as canola, which is vital to industry in New South Wales, have also suffered from reduced bee availability. Varroa mite was so invasive that New South Wales abandoned its eradication efforts, shifting focus instead to management strategies, and the mite's presence now poses ongoing— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Sorry, Member for Calare: you're actually not standing and speaking in the right seat, so I might have to get you to go back to where your seat is. Mr GEE: As I was saying, varroa mite was so invasive that New South Wales abandoned its eradication efforts and shifted instead to management strategies, and the mite's presence now poses ongoing economic, ecological and agricultural challenges across New South Wales. In fact, I was at the Australian National Field Days only recently, over the weekend, and a honey producer was telling me of the shocking impact the mite has had on their businesses. Fire ants were first detected in Australia in 2001 in Brisbane. These infestations came in through international shipping, and their rapid spread has been a real challenge. Fire ants have been detected in new locations in New South Wales, posing a severe risk to our native biodiversity and biosecurity. As the member for Kennedy pointed out, we've also got the looming threat of H5N1 bird flu. Australia is the only continent that has not reported an outbreak of this highly contagious flu. It's a reminder that we must be vigilant and that our biosecurity can't be taken for granted, so this motion brought by the member for Kennedy is a wonderful example of the crossbench leading the way on policy. As we look across the aisle to the pain and, sometimes, dysfunction that may be being experienced by some on this side of the House or even on the other side of the aisle, we on the crossbench say that there is a better way for you. Bring us your tired, bring us your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, because a better life awaits you on the crossbench. Mr Katter interjecting— Mr GEE: I know the member for Kennedy joins me in extending that invitation to anyone who is seeking a better life and a better way and a better future. I support the member for Kennedy's motion, and I commend it to the House. Mr Katter: Madam Deputy Speaker Scrymgour, I take a point of order. I love my colleague, but his comments reflect upon me, and I wish to make a point of personal explanation. He said we're ineffective. Well, the fact that bananas are not here is completely— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I haven't given you the call, Member for Kennedy, because I think you've had— Mr Katter interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I didn't give you the call, Member for Kennedy. The question is that the motion be agreed to. I give the call to the member for Leichhardt.