Parliamentary Speeches
Hemp Industry Bill 2008 ( 14/05/2008)
Mr DONALD PAGE (Ballina) [11.22 a.m.]: I declare an interest at the outset: I have been a wearer of hemp clothing for many years. I support the Hemp Industry Bill 2008, which will establish a licensing scheme for the commercial cultivation or supply of low-THC industrial hemp and amend the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 to legislate that it will no longer be an offence to possess, cultivate, manufacture, produce or supply low-THC industrial hemp. I note that the Department of Primary Industries, the Attorney General's Department, the New South Wales Police Force and New South Wales Health were consulted on the provisions in the bill.
The bill proposes a licensing scheme that will enable the commercial growing of low-THC industrial hemp for use in manufacturing or scientific research. The definition of low-THC industrial hemp includes the leaves, flowering heads, seeds and seed products such as oil and fibre, all of which contain less than 1 per cent THC. Licences will only be granted to applicants who meet the strict qualifying criteria. Applicants will be required to undergo a criminal record check, and the bill empowers the director-general to carry out extensive investigations and inquiries during the application process. Once granted, licensees will be subject to strong enforcement powers provided under the bill. The licences will be valid for four or five years.
For several years The Nationals have supported the commercial hemp industry at its annual conferences. We see the potential of this industry in New South Wales as an addition to the suite of opportunities available to farmers. Hemp products are becoming very popular. Hemp clothing, for instance, is extremely durable and keeps one cool when it is hot and warm when it is cool. Hemp clothing is widely worn in my electorate—I have been wearing hemp products for years, and I thoroughly recommend them. Commercial hemp is grown as a fibre crop and has a broad range of uses, including as paper products and building materials, not to mention its time honoured use as rope.
The benefit to agricultural producers of growing industrial hemp is that it gives them access to the commercial hemp industry, which is likely to grow rapidly due to the increasing interest in hemp as a commercial crop. This environmentally friendly crop, which requires small amounts of water and little or no pesticides, is suited to broadacre farming. Already industrial hemp can be grown in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory under licence or permit. Anecdotal information from Queensland indicates that growing industrial hemp leads to marijuana-free zones. This legislation will bring New South Wales into line with other States. The commercial hemp industry will provide opportunities to, and benefits for, the agricultural industry. If properly supervised—and I believe the legislation contains significant safeguards—it does not constitute a threat in terms of the growing of illegal marijuana. I commend the bill to the House.
