Rex Patrick (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move Centre Alliance amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 8738 together.

(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table items 2 and 3), omit the table items.

(2) Schedule 1, page 3 (line 1) to page 5 (line 11), to be opposed.

I reiterate what I said in my second reading speech—that there are many companies in South Australia, and presumably around the country, that are utilising the IPS scheme. They are using it for good purpose, which allows them to develop products and allows them to sell those products to make money. They employ a range of people and they export products. It is those people who do not want this IPS scheme abolished. It is companies. It is the very people that the Liberal-National coalition purport to represent who want this to stay. I know the Productivity Commission came out with a number that said there was a cost of $11 million to business in pursuing innovative patents. However, that's a choice of the commercial entities. That is their choice.

I asked businesses those questions when I was at a meeting in South Australia, in front of the minister, in front of IP Australia. I asked them whether it was a problem for them. No. It's a choice that they make. You are limiting choices of Australian businesses. You are shutting down a scheme that a number of companies rely on. I am sure that it's not just restricted to South Australian companies. I suspect it's nationwide. This is damaging and should not be permitted.