Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I am disappointed with the coalition's response, notwithstanding that there were many coalition senators—including from the National Party—who had made a terrific contribution to the Senate committee inquiry on changing the law. We can make a difference, in terms of seafood labelling. That will make a huge difference to Australian jobs in this country. Thousands of jobs could be created.

I acknowledge Senator Nigel Scullion's work in the Northern Territory. He was the pioneer who got this through in the Northern Territory, where it has been a terrific success. So to say that the Commonwealth cannot act unilaterally, to say that it is all too hard—with respect to the government, if there is a political will on the part of the Commonwealth to show leadership from government, they can do it. I have contrary advice that says that it can be done. But I do want to genuinely acknowledge the coalition senators who have supported this privately and publicly, and I hope that sooner rather than later we will have these seafood labelling laws so that Australian consumers know what they are buying in their restaurant or takeaway shop.

Question agreed to.