A Victorian parliamentary debate on an industrial hemp bill put forward by the Legalise Cannabis Party has been adjourned, giving the state's Labor government time to develop its position on both the bill and an inquiry into Victoria's hemp industry.
Legalise Cannabis Party MP Rachel Payne said the bill is designed to cut barriers to hemp cultivation, which Victorian manufacturers need to produce building materials.
"Victorian manufacturers are producing building materials, like insulation, bricks and hemp rebar, an alternative to steel," she said.
"Hemp building materials are fire resistant, mould resistant and vermin proof, and capture carbon. The problem is not enough hemp is being grown in Victoria – only 169 hectares.
"We have a housing crisis in Australia, and we know Victorian builders are hindered by the rising cost of imported building materials and supply-chain interruptions. The bill would have made it easier for Victorian farmers to grow hemp and supply building product manufacturers. This ultimately supports the housing market.
"China is planting 1.3 million hectares of hemp by 2030. Europe enlarged its crop by 60 per cent over the past six years to 33,020 hectares, but Victoria is just falling further behind."
Although the Victorian Farmers Federation backs the legislation, Labor has raised doubts about whether a dedicated industrial hemp bill is actually required.
Payne pushed back on that position: "Victoria and Queensland are the only states in Australia without one. It is imperative that Victoria has a stand-alone bill, look at Tasmania, which passed an industrial hemp bill in 2015, and you'll see the benefits."
Tasmania currently has 1,600 hectares of hemp under cultivation, a farm gate value of A$4.5 million, and charges no licence or inspection fees. Victorian producers pay close to $500 for an application, plus $55.70 for every 15 minutes of inspection time. Tasmania also offers five-year licence terms, compared to just three years in Victoria.
Legalise Cannabis Victoria MP David Ettershank said the bill would strip away the costs and stigma that discourage farmers from taking up hemp production.
"Give farmers a break, they are being squeezed by supermarkets and navigating climate change," he said.
"We want them to grow hemp crops, but there are hurdles in their path, like arduous controls. We reserve the right to bring debate on this bill back to parliament and are eager to see Labor's response."
