Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers) Share this | Hansard source

Can I say at the outset that the government fully understands the intention and motivation behind Senator Xenophon and Senator Bob Brown's bill. We absolutely understand the widespread community concern about the impact of deforestation on the orangutan population and the importance of consumers being well informed about the food they buy and consume. That is evident in the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee report. Interestingly, the majority report raised some of the concerns that I will raise now. The first principle this chamber needs to understand is that, I think, there is total unanimity around this chamber about the concern about the impact of deforestation on the orangutan population.

While we do recognise the intent and the community interest in the bill, we are concerned that the bill in its current form, including amendments that may be put in front of us today, may not be the best way to address those issues. The government has already processes in train with respect to food-labelling reform. I acknowledge that Senator Siewert in her contribution today indicated that she was frustrated with the time that that has taken.