Mr CREAN —My question is directed to the Minister for Customs and Consumer Affairs. Has the minister seen reports that an $80 million investment by chemical producer Monsanto has been lost to Argentina because of the government's decision to treat China as a free market economy in anti-dumping cases? Can the minister confirm that, before the Monsanto decision was taken, the former minister's office, DFAT and the Anti-Dumping Authority received a copy of a memo from China's Ministry of Chemical Industry, calling manufacturers to a conference for `the coordination of glyphosate prices'? Does the coordination of prices by a government agency fall within your definition of a market economy?

Mr TRUSS —I have seen reports in one newspaper that Monsanto had made a decision to locate a plant in Argentina. Naturally, I have no knowledge of what reasons may have been in Monsanto's mind—if they have in fact made such a decision. However, the article contained quite a number of inaccuracies, so the honourable member for Hotham should not rely on it for his information. For instance, the article inferred that there had been changes to anti-dumping laws late last year. That is not the case.

Mr McMullan interjecting—

Mr TRUSS —There were no changes last year. What happened was that the department received legal advice to the effect that certain provisions which had been used in the past were no longer applicable in the case of China and that we needed to deal with those matters in a different way. The government has now introduced legislation into the House to deal with China and other countries as economies in transition.

Mr Crean —When is it coming on?

Mr SPEAKER —The member for Hotham!

Mr TRUSS —As you well know, the Senate chose to take the matter up and to deal with it by way of a Senate committee report.

Mr Crean interjecting—

Mr SPEAKER —Order! I warn the member for Hotham.

Mr TRUSS —It has recently reported. It has recommended passage of the legislation, but there have been a number of issues raised. The government is considering those issues. We will bring the legislation on at the appropriate time.