John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In continuation of my discussion of the presentation on country-of-origin labelling, this legislation before chamber today amends Australian consumer law to simplify the test used to justify a country-of-origin claim of 'made in' and removes the 50 per cent production cost test. It will make clear that importing ingredients and undertaking minor processes that merely change the form of appearance of imported goods, such as dicing or canning, are not sufficient to justify a 'made in' claim.

I am very pleased to see this legislation getting fine-tuned and coming forward. Also, I support what others have said, and what Senator Macdonald has said, about the seafood industry—in allowing them to be identified more clearly. I was on a Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee inquiry into fish labelling/seafood labelling in the Northern Territory. Seventy per cent of the seafood in Australia is imported. We need to go a step further to see that the people who are eating seafood, like all other foods, know exactly where it comes from. Of course, this also promotes the Australian consumption and jobs in Australia. It is well known throughout the world that, if it is grown in Australia and processed in Australia, then it is good, clean food from the best farmers in the world.

I will conclude my contribution in saying that I welcome the country-of-origin labelling. As my colleague Senator Nash knows, we nearly ran out of puff on this issue at some stage. I said to Senator Nash, 'I've been trying for 23 years to get this country-of-origin labelling. I'm giving up. I'm hitting my head against a brick wall. I'm sick of having a bruised forehead and going nowhere.' Thanks to former Prime Minister Abbott for his decision to proceed with this and to my colleagues in the coalition. The inquiry has been a long period of consultation.

There will no doubt be some fine-tuning required later on. These things are complicated. They may have a negative effect on some businesses, with paperwork and labelling and clarification. We can do that later. The most important thing is: 1 July 2018 is the day when everything must be finalised. The Australian people can learn to read the labels—the bar underneath the green triangle with the kangaroo in it—to see how much is actually grown in Australia. And, of course, they will know that the more that bar is filled up the better quality food they can consume with total confidence. One thing that we have in this country—along with many things that we are good at—is great farmers.

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to thank my fellow members on both sides of the chamber who participated in this debate. It is an important part of the country-of-origin labelling reforms championed by the government. I will not labour many of the issues which have been raised. I am aware that some senators have raised issues about going further. Senator Xenophon has raised certain issues. There have been issues in relation to seafood. But I do not intend to delay the Senate too much at this point, except to say that I will consider further some of the comments that have been made. This is a bit of a work in progress. But let's nail this and go on to the next stage. I commend the bill to the chamber.

Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Firstly, the question is that the movement of Senator Xenophon be agreed to.

Question negatived.

Original question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.