17th Jun 2008, 12:41 PM – Senate Wheat Export Marketing Bill 2008 and Wheat Export Marketing (Repeal and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 — Second Reading — Read a second time

The majority voted in favour of a motion to read the bills for a second time.(Read more about the stages that bills must pass through to become law here. ) This means that the majority agree with the main idea of the bills and that they can now discuss them in more detail.

Although the bills had broad support from both sides of the Senate, the Nationals Party opposed them. The exception was Nationals MP Julian McGauran who rebelled against his party and voted 'aye' to the motion.(Read more about what it means to rebel in our FAQ Section. )

Background to the bills

Australia's wheat export market currently operates under a ' single desk' policy. This means that bulk wheat exports are directed through a single exporter of bulk wheat under the Australian Wheat Board International Limited (AWB International). The Export Wheat Commission manages the export of non-bulk wheat (that is, bagged or container wheat).

The bills establish a wheat export accreditation scheme, which will be regulated through a new statutory body called the Wheat Exports Australia.(Read more about the bills in their bills digests. The digest for the Wheat Export Marketing Bill 2008 is available here (198 KB). The digest for the Wheat Export Marketing (Repeal and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 is available here (53.1 KB).) This introduces competition into the bulk wheat export market. As explained by the explanatory memorandum, "[r]ather than forcing growers to sell their wheat through a single exporter they will be able to choose from a number of accredited exporters as well as domestic outlets."

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