15th Sep 2015, 3:42 PM – Senate Motions - Competition Policy - Introduced an effects test

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Tasmanian Senator Peter Whish-Wilson (Greens), which means it failed.

Queensland Senator Matthew Canavan (LNP) supported the motion against the rest of the Coalition because "it was something that was passed at the National Party conference on the weekend" (read the rest of his contribution).

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Harper Review into competition policy called for the introduction of an effects test in relation to the misuse of market power,

(ii) supporters for the introduction of an effects test include the National Farmers’ Federation, and the newly-formed Independent Business Alliance for Competition made up of the Council of Small Business Australia, the Australian Retailers Association, Fresh Markets Australia, the Australian Newsagents’ Federation, the Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association and the Master Grocers Association, and

(iii) the National Party unanimously passed a motion at its National Conference calling for the introduction of an effects test; and

(b) calls on the Government to bring forward legislation that amends Section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to introduce an effects test so as to better protect farmers and small business owners from anti-competitive conduct.