Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That:

(a)

the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Wheat Marketing Act 1989, and for related purposes; and

(b)

the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the bill allowing it to be considered during this period of sittings.

I table a statement of reasons justifying the need for this bill to be considered during these sittings and seek leave to have the statement incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The statement read as follows—

Purpose of the bill

Amend the Wheat Marketing Act 1989 to transfer the power of veto for bulk wheat exports from AWB (International) Ltd to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Reasons for Urgency

The Government considers that urgent interim arrangements are needed to address current concerns within the wheat industry. Following the findings of the Cole Inquiry, the Government does not consider it appropriate that AWB (International) Ltd continue to hold the veto power, at least until such time as due consideration is given to longer term arrangements.

The interim arrangements are intended to be in place until 30 June 2007, during which time the Government intends to consult widely with industry to ensure the best outcome for wheat growers in deciding longer term wheat marketing arrangements.

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry)

I remind senators that we have had a statement of reasons for urgency circulated in the chamber. In fact, it was circulated yesterday. The Wheat Marketing Amendment Bill 2006 relates to, again, the recent Cole commission of inquiry. Of course, we have another bill which is different in form in response to that. This bill deals more with the marketing of wheat. Its urgency relates to the fact that, as a result of the Cole commission of inquiry, the government has considered the way in which wheat is marketed in Australia. There are urgent considerations because a harvest is in the process of taking place across Australia. In fact, I would venture to say that the majority of the wheat has now been harvested.

The government considers that urgent interim measures are needed to address current concerns within the wheat industry. This bill will allow for the change to the veto power for an interim period of six months. The interim arrangements are intended to be in place until 30 June 2007, during which time the government intends to consult widely with industry to ensure the best outcome for wheat growers in deciding longer term wheat marketing arrangements. I stress to senators that this is an urgent interim measure. It was not foreseen; it comes as a result of the Cole commission findings. We need to put this interim measure in place to address at least this summer’s harvest of wheat across Australia. We have attempted to give senators as much notice as possible. It is not a complex bill. In fact, I would suggest it is a very short bill compared to others that we have seen.

Today I am proposing that, should this motion succeed, we proceed with this bill after the Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 4) Bill 2006. That would give senators some time to consider their position. If necessary, government speakers could begin the second reading debate to allow further time for senators opposite to consider their position. And we could have the remainder of the debate concluded after question time today, which would give senators time to further consider their position. That is the proposal of the government. A draft was circulated yesterday—a slight amendment has been made to that—and the final draft was circulated this morning. As I said, it is a short bill; it is not complex. It deals with a very important and urgent issue of great concern to many of our farmers across Australia.

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister for that round-up about the Wheat Marketing Amendment Bill 2006. This is one of those occasions when there is genuine urgency for the legislation to be dealt with by the Senate at the end of a sitting year. The Greens, very unusually, will not be objecting to the exemption from the cut-off order. Senator Siewert has been dealing with this matter for the Greens. We will be ready to proceed with the debate later in the day, so the Greens will not be opposing this motion.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor also accepts the urgency and the reasons put forward by the government for the Wheat Marketing Amendment Bill 2006 being declared an urgent bill. Labor does understand that there is a need for certainty in industry and will not be opposing the exemption from the cut-off. In terms of management of the bill, it is being introduced now and we have before us the second reading speech and the EM, together with the final version of the bill. We thank the government for the draft presented last night. It also assisted in helping us to formulate our view today. Labor will be in a position later this morning to be able to deal adequately with the bill. We understand the reasons behind it; they emanate from the Cole commission of inquiry. We appreciate both the Greens’ and the government’s position in bringing forward this bill and ensuring that we have been adequately informed about it and the need for urgency.

Question agreed to.

Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a first time.