Senator MARGETTS(4.10 p.m.) —I might seek the indulgence of the committee. I believe I have missed out amendment 23.

The CHAIRMAN —My running sheet indicates that you were going to move amendments 20 and 23 together.

Senator Tambling —I would like to ask Senator Margetts to take these amendments separately.

Senator MARGETTS —I move:

(20)   Clause 124, page 101 (after line 12), after subclause (1), insert:

   (1A)   For the purposes of section 128, standards and requirements set by regulations made under subsection (1) are to be regarded as minimum standards and requirements.

We have just heard the minister say, `Wouldn't it be dreadful if we had to abide by state and federal legislation because it would mean that the Commonwealth wouldn't be able to apply its terrific whizzbang legislation and regulations and ability to monitor.' We have asked that whichever standards and requirements set under subsection (1) are regarded as minimum standards—that is, if other legislatures require greater levels or if Commonwealth legislation requires a greater level of control than is set by these regulations—it is the greater that applies. That is a reasonable thing. If in the end we have the ability to regulate down environmental standards, one would think that might create a problem.