Senator MARGETTS(11.23 a.m.) —The amendments I have mentioned which deal with section 1 have now been circulated, and I do apologise for the late circulation. I move:

(1)   Schedule l, page 15 (after line 26), after item 11, insert:

11A Section 5

Omit the definition of significant ANEF levels , substitute: significant ANEF levels means a noise above 20 ANEF levels.

This amendment seeks to establish the significant ANEF level as 20 ANEF. We have spoken about this in the past and I will not repeat the argument, except to remind senators that the 20 ANEF level is that which is judged to cause significant hearing damage and problem for up to a third of residents over a period of time; and that 20 ANEF is the level at which Standards Australia suggest that residential housing should not be allowed.

On economic grounds the decision was taken to retain significant ANEF levels at 30 ANEF, which is 50 per cent higher. I think this is unreasonable. Therefore, I would seek to give the Senate another opportunity to put the health and wellbeing of people above short-term budget costs.

Amendment negatived.