Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

I totally agree with the Deputy that there is much potential in wool. It is not fair to say that nothing has happened, however. After the study was completed, it was over to the sector itself to establish a wool council. It is not for the Department or for me to establish that. That was one of the most significant parts, the establishment of the wool council. However, I receive a letter from representatives of a group of stakeholders seeking to form the wool council. I responded to them requesting that they engage with farm organisations, which had not been the case, to ensure the sector's primary producers are represented on the wool council. That is essential.

Certainly, we have also committed to putting aside supports for research into what wool can be used for. There are a number of potential uses, some of which the Deputy indicated. First and foremost, it is essential that we get this wool council established. As I said, however, it is now up to be industry itself and the stakeholders involved. It is not an issue for the Department to set up.

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