REGULATION AND DEREGULATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN WHEAT INDUSTRY - THE GREAT WHEAT DEBATES IN HISTORICAL-PERSPECTIVE

The Australian wheat industry became embroiled in a series of heated d ebates from the late 1970s. The source of debate was whether, to what extent, and how, the industry should be deregulated. This article atte mpts to explain the nature of the debate. It gives particular attentio n to the underlying assumptions and world views of those farmer groups who demanded that 'orderly marketing' be preserved, and contrasts the se with the views of economists promoting change. It seeks to explain why the debates were so intense and how and why those resisting change were ultimately unsuccessful. In doing so the article seeks to demons trate the insights economic history can provide into an issue of consi derable contemporary relevance.