Barnaby Joyce (Queensland, National Party, Leader of The Nationals in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

There is always a vast difference between consultation and dictation. What people believe is that, when you enter into consultation, their views, which they have given, will be incorporated in the outcome that you propose in some way, shape or form. But, when there is a discussion but it is a waste of time because you end up in the position that the government wants rather than the position that industry wants, that is not consultation. That is a process that is rhetorical but it is not consultation. Consultation somehow works on the premise that the other person gets heard and not only heard—and I have no doubt you did hear them—but actually responded to in such a way that the outcome is seen in the legislation provided.

Minister, in a submission to the House Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications inquiry, Shipping Australia said, of the five-voyage minimum limit to the variation process:

This simply does not make sense. If an applicant does expect to have five voyages over the twelve month period—

of a temporary licence—

but then finds he has seven voyages he can’t seek a variation to the temporary licence?

Is that correct?