Senator FORSHAW (12:45 PM) —There are five bills before the Senate at this time. They are the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Bill 1999 , the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Bill 1999 , the Primary Industries Levies and Charges (Consequential Amendments) Bill 1998 , the National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Amendment Bill 1999 and the National Residue Survey (Customs) Levy Amendment Bill 1999 .

These bills, taken together, form legislation that is intended to amalgamate some 40 separate acts that currently exist and provide for the imposition of levies and charges upon rural industries. This body of legislation, which I refer to as the primary industries levies amalgamation legislation, is intended to provide a framework for the imposition of future levies and charges and to streamline that process, as I said, from currently 40 separate acts to two principal acts and three related acts. The two principal bills in this legislation are the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Bill 1999 and the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Bill 1999.

Currently, primary industry levies and charges are imposed upon various rural industries, generally at the request of and on behalf of those industry organisations. Those levies and charges are imposed to provide funds for the promotion of research and development for those particular industries. As I said, they are often imposed as a result of industry initiative, and the government acts as the collection agency on behalf of the various industry peak bodies.

The specific provisions of the bills and the purposes thereof are set out in the minister's second reading speech, and I do not need to go over that in detail. I do wish to indicate that the opposition supports passage of this legislation, as we are assured that, firstly, it has been the subject of intense consultation with industry, who support it, and, secondly, it will streamline the process into the future.

Along with those assurances, I note that, if problems arise in the future, the industry peak bodies will be on the phone to us pretty quickly, as they usually are to let us know when they have some difficulty with either government legislation or particularly government regulation. It is really the regulations powers that are used to impose the additional levies, and we will hear those concerns pretty quickly if they arise, will be able to examine them and, if necessary, will take them up with government. So with those few remarks, and noting that my colleague Senator O'Brien also wishes to add some remarks to this non-controversial but very important legislation, I will indicate that the opposition supports the legislation.