What were the new procedures which were introduced to avoid delays in payment of unemployment benefits, mentioned in the Commonwealth Ombudsman's Second Annual Report 1979, page 85.

In order to continue to receive unemployment benefit, it is necessary for a beneficiary to establish continuing entitlement.

Pan of this process involves the lodgment of an Application for Continuation of Benefit ( Form SU 1 9B).

Ath the time of the occurrence referred to by the Ombudsman, payments were being made on a set payday, provided that the Form SU19B had been received by that date and continued eligibility had been established. Payment would not therefore be interrupted unless there was a failure to lodge the FormSU19B.

If the Form SU 1 9B was not received by the due date, the procedures required payment to be terminated. If the Form was subsequently received some delay could occur in resuming payment.

In the case referred to by the Ombudsman, the Form SU19B was lodged a day late. As a result, payment was terminated and a delay occurred in restoring benefit.

In the latter pan of 1978, procedural changes were made in the processing of unemployment benefits which included provision for date of payment of continuing benefit to be linked directly to date of receipt of Form SUI9B, instead of automatic payments being made on a set payday.

One of the effects of this change was to avoid the type of delay which occurred in the case referred to by the Ombudsman.

The honourable senator will be aware that the 1979-80 Budget made no provision for any excise on wine. The honourable senator will also be aware that the Government has examined the recommendations by the Industries Assistance Commission in its report of 3 1 July 1 979 on Grapes and Wine. The Minister for Primary Industry and the Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs announced on 25 October that the Government had decided to leave unchanged the customs duties presently applying to wine, grape must and fresh and dried grapes.

Consistent with the assurance given by Senator Carrick, the Government has given full consideration to recommendations by the Industries Assistance Commission in its report of 3 1 July 1 979 on Grapes and Wine. Following that examination, the Minister for Primary Industry and the Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs announced on 25 October that the Government had decided to leave unchanged the customs duties presently applying to wine, grape must and fresh and dried grapes.

Will the Minister representing the Minister for Trade and Resources advise whether the land on which the township of Jabiru is being built adjacent to the Ranger mine project site is land excised from the Kakadu National Park and subject to Federal administration? If this is so, why is the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly assuming a planning role over the area? Will this mean a change in the size and nature of the township? What action is the Government taking in this matter?

The Jabiru township is being built on land situated within the Kakadu National Park, which is subject to Commonwealth administration.

By agreement between the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments the Jabiru Town Development Authority, a Northern Teritory body, has been established to plan, develop and administer the town. The Authority is required to act in accordance with the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 of the Commonwealth insofar as that Act relates to Jabiru.

In relation to the respective roles of the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments in the development of the Jabiru township, I would refer the honourable senator to my press statement of 13 November 1979 on the Kakadu National Park and Jabiru.

I direct a question to the Minister representing the Minister for Trade and Resources. The 100th anniversary of the first shipment of meat from Australia will occur later this year. The Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation is mounting a campaign to mark that event. As Australia is the largest exporter of meat in the world, and as this great industry means so much to so many Australians, will the Government be prepared to support the campaign or to take some independent action to remind Australia and the world of this important anniversary?

The Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation has responsibilities, under Commonwealth legislation, for promoting domestic and overseas trade in meat The centenary of the first refrigerated beef shipment to the United Kingdom provides the Corporation with an excellent opportunity to pursue this objective.

Funds to assist the overseas promotion of Australian meat are provided by the Department of Trade and Resources through the Overseas Trade Publicity Committee on the basis of a 65 cents Government contribution against each dollar contributed by the AMLC. The Corporation has planned a program of appropriate promotional activities endorsed by the Department of Trade and Resources.

It is moreover proposed that these activities will be publicised overseas through various Departmental publications and newspaper supplements and the proposed Australian celebrations will also be depicted at trade fairs and displays in the target areas for meat exports.

I direct my question to the Minister representing the Minister for Trade and Resources. In his Press release on 13 November the Minister for Trade and Resources said:

Further discussions with the Northern Territory are being arranged to progress a range of matters in relation to the Jabiru township and Kakadu National Park.

Will the Minister indicate what these matters are and also let the Senate know whether the Northern Land Council will be a party to the discussions?

The further discussions with the Northern Territory will include:

(a)   the issue of a lease by the Director of National Parks and Wildlife to the Jabiru Town Development Authority in respect of the Jabiru town site;

(b)   the plan of management for Stage I of the Kakadu National Park;

(c)   regulations for the Park; and

(d)   management and staff arrangements for the Park.

As indicated in my statement on 13 November 1979, the Commonwealth Government and the Northern Territory Government are agreed that the National Park will be managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in accordance with its agreement with the Northern Land Council. Accordingly, the Northern Land Council will be consulted as necessary. I have advised the Chairman of the Northern Land Council that he will be kept fully informed about the progress of the discussions.

In addition, the Northern Territory Government has invited the Northern Land Council to nominate two if its members to the Jabiru Town Development Authority.