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

I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Quarantine Amendment (Commission of Inquiry) Bill 2007, allowing it to be considered during this period of sittings.

I also table a statement of reasons justifying the need for this bill to be considered during these sittings and seek leave to have the statement incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The statement of reasons read as follows—

Purpose of the Bill

The bill amends the Quarantine Act 1908 to provide for the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to appoint a person to conduct a Commission of Inquiry into the outbreak of equine influenza in Australia in 2007. The Bill also provides the Commissioner with the powers needed to effectively conduct such an inquiry, and makes other consequential amendments to the Archives Act 1983, the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988.

Reasons for Urgency

The proposal is urgent in order to facilitate the commencement of a full and effective inquiry under the Quarantine Act 1908 as soon as possible.