Senator CHANEY (Western AustraliaMinister for Aboriginal Affairs) - I thank honourable senators for their speedy consideration of the Patents Amendment (Patent Cooperation Treaty) Bill. I thank Senator Watson for his support of it. For the reasons indicated by the Minister for Productivity (Mr Macphee) in the House of Representatives, the Government does not propose to accept the amendment, which calls upon the Government to take certain steps which the Opposition says are necessary to develop complementary legislation. As was indicated in the House of Representatives and in a news release dated 15 November 1979 put out by the Minister for Productivity, the Industrial Property Advisory Committee has been asked to examine the effectiveness of the patents system in encouraging the adoption of new technology by Australia. It will also look at how the system aids or inhibits Australian inventions and the transfer of technology to Australia.

The reference to the Committee is a broad one and encompasses the areas of concern which have been raised by the Opposition. It is the view of the Government that this report is an appropriate step to be taken at this stage in respect of the matters of concern in the area of patents. I should mention, in case honourable senators are not aware, that the Industrial Property Advisory Committee is very broadly based. It comprises representatives from industry, the Department of Productivity, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, an economist, a lawyer, a patent attorney and the Commissioner of Patents. A fair spread of interests is involved. I commend the Bill to the Senate and hope that it will get a speedy passage.

Amendment negatived.

Original question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill read a second time.

In Committee

The Bill.