Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 14 September 2009:

The Australian Government’s management of the removal of the 40 per cent fee rebate for the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) export certification functions, having regard to:

(a)

the level of industry support for the removal of the 40 per cent rebate prior to the implementation of comprehensive reform of AQIS’s export inspection and certification services;

(b)

the adequacy of consultation by the Government in the development of industry work plans;

(c)

the capacity of the Government, including AQIS, to implement efficiency proposals;

(d)

the adequacy of government funding to implement industry work plans;

(e)

any progress on meeting targets in industry work plans;

(f)

the financial or other impact on industry sectors of the failure to meet reform targets; and

(g)

any other relevant matter.

Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—The government does not support this proposed reference or, therefore, the motion. However, recognising that the opposition together with the Greens will vote for the motion, we will not call a division.

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

by leave—I note that Senator O’Brien has made it a standard practice of making a statement when the opposition and the Greens vote together on matters like this. I give notice that, while I am here, I will in future, to follow suit, stand to explain to the Senate, where the opposition and Labor vote together and the Greens vote the other way, why we have not supported that motion. If this is to become a standard process then I will follow suit with the government.

Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As a point of clarification, Senator O’Brien explained why he was not calling a division. I guess if the same situation arises, Senator Brown, where you did not call a division you would be entitled to do the same thing.

Question agreed to.