Mr GARRETT (Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth) (10:07 AM) —I thank those members who have contributed to the debate on the Tradex Scheme Amendment Bill 2010. I am speaking in my capacity as minister representing the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

As expected, this is a non-contentious bill seeking to clarify the eligibility of partnerships for the Tradex Scheme and also to remove redundant provisions. I want to thank the member for Oxley for his contribution. The Tradex Scheme was previously introduced as a streamlined program for providing relief to businesses paying customs duty and GST on imported products that are to be exported or incorporated into other goods that are to be exported. While partnerships were not explicitly referenced in the Tradex Scheme legislation, they were not and are not intended to be excluded in the scheme. This bill seeks to clarify this position in law.

The bill’s other minor amendments remove redundant parts of the act consistent with the government’s objective of reducing the regulatory burden. The Tradex Scheme will continue to provide real benefits to Australian industry and improve our international competitiveness as a trading nation.

I commend the bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Ordered that the bill be reported to the House without amendment.