Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party, Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013 is a companion bill to the Grape and Wine Legislation Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013.

The companion bill provides consequential amendments to replace references to the Wine Australia Corporation in the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 with 'Australian Grape and Wine Authority' to reflect the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Act 2013 that will govern the new authority.

The change will allow for levies collected to be paid to the Australian Grape and Wine Authority.

The bill also repeals clauses that provided for Wine Australia, following an annual general meeting, to make recommendations to the minister about the levy rate. The government has a process for consulting with industry about levy rates that provides for consultation, a vote of industry and an objections process. The bill provides that the process for changing wine industry levies is consistent with other industries.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.

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