Senator MINCHIN (Industry, Science and Resources) (4:47 PM) —I have really put down the arguments against these opposition amendments and expressed my great disappointment on behalf of the government that the opposition are moving these amendments and further delaying this very important assistance package to the automotive industry. But I do want to draw attention to the position as put by the Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers, a key industry body in this area, which has written to both the shadow minister, Mr McMullan, and the Democrats spokesman on this matter, Senator Ridgeway, as follows:

This agreement—

that is, the ACIS legislation package—

to which FAPM and all four car assemblers are party to, includes a freeze of the tariff of 15 per cent until 30 December 2004 whereafter the tariff will fall to 10 per cent, together with an appropriate scheme to replace export facilitation. In our view—

that is, the view of the Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers—

the legislation presently before the Senate will be important in driving investment and creating a more competitive automotive industry.

We are concerned that any delay in the Senate's consideration of this matter will disrupt this industry's plans to invest.

We therefore seek your support in ensuring the timely passage of this legislation through the Parliament.

That is the position of a key industry player, representing the thousands of workers in this industry who are dependent on further investment by the major companies, asking the opposition and the Democrats not to do what they are doing but to get on with the business and support this legislative package so that companies can start investing, knowing what the environment will be over the next five years. But, of course, no, the opposition and, regrettably, the Democrats want to play politics with this and further delay and create uncertainty and confusion in this industry.

We have told the parliament and the nation why it is important that this package should go through as is. We have industry support for it. I have already indicated that although this is a matter for a future government—and there are two elections due before this scheme expires—from my point of view I have no objection to the review of post-2005 arrangements commencing prior to 2005. I have no objection to that whatsoever and I put that matter on the record. But it is vital that we not send any mixed signals about what the tariff rate will be as of 1 January 2005. It will be a 10 per cent tariff rate but, obviously, we will want to review that to see exactly what should happen with respect to tariffs and any further assistance to this industry post 2005. As I say, that review, as far as I am concerned, could commence before 2005. We do not want to legislate to that effect and we do not want to send any signals that the tariff rate will not fall to 10 per cent. The industry needs to know what tariff regime it will operate under. We need this bill to go through now on that basis.