Senator JESSOP (South Australia) - Very briefly, I agree with what the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs (Senator Chaney) has said. He has indicated that the Government has had regard to the recommendations of the Senate Standing Committee on Science and the Environment. This is borne out by the fact that the Minister for Productivity (Mr Macphee), following a letter from me as Chairman of the Committee registering some doubts about the legislation, held the legislation up for about a month until he was able to consider further correspondence and we were able to give an opinion on his reply. I believe that that is quite significant. I totally support the Senate standing committee system. An important point which honourable senators opposite should note is that the Government was prepared to hold back its legislation until such time as our questions were answered. I believe the Government is acting in good faith. If in the future we believe that amendments are necessary the Government will certainly consider it.

Bill agreed to.

Bill reported without amendment; report adopted.