Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl) —Mr Speaker has received the following message from the Senate:

The Senate transmits to the House of Representatives the following resolution which was agreed to by the Senate on 28 August 1997:

That the Senate recognises that:

(a)   the future of the 100 000 Australian textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) workers must be secured, together with future exports and investment growth;

(b)   Australia is well ahead of its international competitors in the reduction of tariffs in this industry;

(c)   if the Productivity Commission's recommendations are implemented, at least 50 000 Australian jobs will go off-shore and the remaining 50 000 workers will be forced into low-paid backyard operations;

(d)   there should be a freeze on TCF tariffs from the year 2000 to, at least, the year 2005, consistent with Australia's international obligations;

(e)   the Import Credit Scheme must not be removed without putting in place a program of equivalent value, consistent with Australia's international obligations; and

(f)   a review of future assistance arrangements should be undertaken in the year 2004, in consultation with the industry's partners, taking into account:

(i)   progress on TCF trade liberalisation among Australia's trading partners and competitors,

(ii)   the industry's progress in meeting its commitments on employment, investment and exports, and

(iii)   the effect of changes in the TCF industry on regional Australia.

The Senate requests the concurrence of the House in this resolution.

Motion (by Mr Reith) proposed:

That consideration of the message be made an order of the day for the next sitting.