Senator PATTERSON (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs) (12:56 PM) —The legislation provides for the Retirement Assistance for Farmers scheme to finish on 30 June 2001. There are, however, as has been mentioned, some farmers who, while otherwise eligible under the scheme, had not finalised the transfer of their farm by 30 June 2001. The purpose of the Social Security and Veterans' Entitlements Legislation Amendment (Retirement Assistance for Farmers) Bill 2001 is to provide those farmers with extra time in which to take advantage of the scheme. It also provides for similar arrangements in respect of farmers applying for Department of Veterans' Affairs income support pensions who wish to take advantage of the scheme. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill read a second time, and passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.