Bob Debus (Macquarie, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

In the terms of the printed proposal which is now being circulated to honourable members, I move:

Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2009.

The customs tariff proposal I have just tabled contains alterations to the Customs Tariff Act 1995, effective from 1 January 2009.

The proposal inserts a new item 41H into schedule 4 to the customs tariff. Item 41H will allow the duty-free entry of goods for use in the testing, quality control, manufacturing evaluation or engineering development of motor vehicles designed or engineered in Australia, but maybe manufactured overseas, by manufacturers registered under the Automotive Competitiveness and Investment Scheme. The item will also allow for duty-free entry of components for inclusion in such motor vehicles.

The duty-free entry of such goods will benefit local manufacturers of motor vehicles, reducing the costs involved in the design and engineering of new vehicles that may be built on global platforms. It will also encourage innovation and diversification in the local industry. I commend the proposal.

Debate (on motion by Mr Billson) adjourned.

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