Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I would like to add to an answer to a question from Senator Fielding in question time today. In October this year the parliament passed the Trade Practices Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2006also known as the Dawson bill—with support from Senator Fielding, for which we are grateful. As the government stated at that time, the passage of the Dawson bill allowed the government to move forward with the next stage of its trade practices reforms dealing with the misuse of market power. The government made a commitment to consult with stakeholders on draft legislation in this area. That draft legislation is now in an advanced stage and consultation on it will commence very shortly. Following this consultation process, the government expects to introduce the legislation in early 2007.