Mr TRUSS (Customs and Consumer Affairs) —in reply—I thank the member for Bonython (Mr Martyn Evans) for his comments and interest in the National Measurement Amendment Bill 1998 , and indeed for his interest in these matters. I certainly concur with his view that these are significant issues that are perhaps not often thought about by the men and women of Australia. They are the sorts of underlying regulatory frameworks that are essential to almost every aspect of our daily life, but we just tend to take those things for granted.

The government has been taking a number of initiatives in response to the Kean report in relation to standards issues. Indeed, only last week I chaired the first meeting of the Standards and Conformance Advisory Council that has been established to assist the government in addressing some of these issues. It is particularly pleasing for me that Mr Kean has himself agreed to be the vice-chairman of that council, and so we have the benefit of his expertise and knowledge still available to us.

As indicated by the member for Bonython, these amendments are largely of a technical nature. There were some previous amendments to provide for mandatory meteorological requirements for legal measuring instruments, and at the same time for improving chemical measurements by the use of certified reference materials. Unfortunately, both of those initiatives were frustrated by a drafting error in the definition of a certifying body. Therefore, it has been necessary for that error to be corrected in this legislation.

A second feature of the bill is to remove the retirement age of 65 for the executive director of the National Standards Commission, and that is in line with government policy. Similar measures are being taken in relation to a number of authorities. I again thank the committee for its speedy consideration of this matter and I commend the bill to the committee.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill read a second time.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mossfield) —If no member wishes to consider the bill in detail, I will put the question forthwith. The question is that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.

Question resolved in the affirmative.