Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

First of all, can I thank the Democrat and Greens contributors to this debate for not talking on this particular aspect in their response to the need for us to expedite matters today. In relation to why the government will not split the bill, the reason why this bill has some urgency has been previously explained. It would be unfair to say that the only grounds the government has ever stated is the veto ground. That is the most important aspect of the urgency of it. Given the time constraints that we have been suffering this week, it was deemed that we would just put the most important point forward. For the sake of the record, I put these further matters forward. It is important that growers and exporters are provided certainty in relation to these changes well in advance of the upcoming harvest. The bill also has delayed commencements in relation to other aspects. Those delayed commencements provide further opportunity for matters such as the quality assurance scheme to be adequately considered and developed. The splitting of the bill would cause unnecessary delay and provide uncertainty. Further uncertainty may also delay industry progress relating to the demerger proposal. AWB has stated its intention to wait until the changes are made to the Wheat Marketing Act to progress the proposal. Any delay creates uncertainty and could jeopardise the ability of growers and industry to complete the demerger or establish a new company by the government’s 1 March 2008 deadline.

Question put:

That the motion (Senator O’Brien’s) be agreed to.