Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Hansard source

I thank senators for their contributions this morning. I particularly recognise the interest shown in this issue by Senator Back, by Senator Xenophon and by you, Acting Deputy President Ruston. The government recognises that export fees and charges are an issue of concern for the agricultural export community. I know that a number of senators have been spending a lot of time working on this issue going back to 2008-09, when changes in the cost recovery process and the 40 per cent rebate on cost recovery was removed by the previous government.

As intimated by Senator Xenophon, there are $15 million in this year's budget to assist small producers over four years in export sectors where there are specific export certification charges. The government has also announced that it is doing a full review of export fees and charges. That is a very important piece of work, to consider the way these fees are applied. Senator Back was correct when he said we are part of a competitive export supply chain and that the costs of government go to the cost of participating in the export sector. We need to ensure we are competitive as part of that process as well, no different from any other private supplier in the market. That is a principle we need to consider as part of the export fees and charges review process.

I commend the bills to the Senate.

Question agree to.

Bills read a second time.