Barley Marketing Parts 4 and 5 Amendment Bill 1998
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Thursday 19 March 1998
Second Reading
The Hon. K.T. GRIFFIN (Attorney-General): I move:
That this Bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading explanation inserted in Hansard without my reading it.
Leave granted.
The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Barley Marketing Act 1993 to extend, for one year, the marketing powers of the Australian Barley Board.
The Barley Marketing Act 1993 has complementary legislation in Victoria. A one year extension to the Victorian legislation is being proposed by the Government in that State.
The Bill proposes to extend Part 4 and Part 5 of the Act. It is from these provisions that the Australian Barley Board is granted single desk authority in export marketing of barley and oats and the authority to issue licences and permits for domestic marketing of barley. Currently, these Parts are due to expire on 30 June 1998.
Part 4 and Part 5 of the Act are the principal components being considered for reform under the National Competition Policy Review of Legislative Restrictions on Competition. This review is now ongoing and is expected to be completed by September 1998.
The one year extension of the marketing powers of the Australian Barley Board will permit the best possible accommodation of me outcomes of the National Competition Policy Review. Extending these provisions for one year will permit the Australian Barley Board to continue to operate, without disruption to barley and oat markets, while the Competition Policy review is completed and any resulting reforms are put in place.
I commend the Bill to the House.
Explanation of Clauses
Clause 1: Short title This clause is formal.
Clause 2: Amendment of s. 5—Application of Parts 4 and 5 Section 5 currently applies Part 4 (Marketing) and Part 5 (Stockfeed Permits and Maltsters Licences) of the Act to barley and oats harvested in the season commencing on 1 July 1993 and thereafter for each of the next 4 seasons. The amendment proposes to extend the application of those Parts for a further season (ie: that season commencing 1 July 1998).
The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY secured the adjournment of the debate.