Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Melbourne for his support in relation to previous legislation in this area. But the government cannot support this particular amendment, based on the advice of the Australian Statistician. The Australian Bureau of Statistics is founded on strong legislation that protects its independence. That legislation protects the confidentiality of individual and company information provided to the ABS. The amendment would significantly alter that protection, with the likely detriment to the work of the ABS. It is important that the ABS works closely with applicants and with Customs and Border Protection in anti-dumping cases. The information the ABS provides is often vital to the success of any application. The amendment is not the appropriate mechanism to support collaboration between the ABS and anti-dumping applicants. So, regrettably, I say to the member for Melbourne that we do not support his application and his amendment.

Question negatived.

Bill agreed to.

Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.

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