Roberts has been very detailed in its explanation of the economic and infrastructure issues that have made it difficult for them to continue operation of the saleyards.

While in the corporate world such decision-making methodology makes sense and has credibility, the closure of saleyards like Quoiba has a much more significant impact than economics on rural and regional communities. Saleyards are often a focal point for regional and rural communities and they often provide an opportunity for social interaction for farmers.

The importance of this social element to the character of a regional community can't be underestimated and it contributes to who they really are. The opportunity for farmers to socialise with other farmers, to take the opportunity to mentor each other, to understand they are not alone is critically important to their mental health and wellbeing. You take the saleyard away and those opportunities diminish dramatically. When we see conversations and debates around the closure of saleyards and for that matter other regional icons or businesses, we need to understand that it is so much more than just about the money. We have seen in other parts of the state over recent years where these closures have occurred, significant wellbeing and mental health issues for the local farming community.

Sadly, these types of closures and indeed the contraction of industries and facilities within our rural and regional communities continue to dog our economy and have unrealised implications for those who live in the areas in question.

The onward rush to further corporate rationalisation is a trend that those of us who reside and work in regional communities should be very concerned about. Collectively, we must work together to ensure that not only is this trend stemmed but indeed reversed.

In Tasmania, our regional and rural communities still provide significant input to the Tasmanian economy. The contribution of Agriculture alone is in excess of seven percent of state growth product, which is the highest of any state in Australia.

We need to ensure, that those in power understand clearly the critical role that regional communities play, particularly in states like Tasmania. With a rapidly expanding global population, agriculture is the growth sector moving forward. Recognition needs to be given to this and that includes ensuring that local infrastructure is free from the corporate excesses that we have seen in recent times.