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Chris Hayes voted very strongly for increasing competition in bulk wheat export

How Chris Hayes voted compared to someone who believes that the federal government should deregulate Australia's wheat export market so that bulk wheat export is no longer done through a single exporter (which is known as a 'single desk' policy)

Division Chris Hayes Supporters vote Division outcome

4th Jun 2008, 10:45 AM – Representatives Wheat Export Marketing Bill 2008 - Third Reading - Read a third time

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The majority voted in favour of a motion to read the bill for a third time.(Read more about the stages that bills must pass through to become law here. ) This means that the majority agree with the bill and that it will now be sent to the Senate for their consideration.

Background to the bill

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 Wheat Export Marketing Bill 2008 was introduced with the Wheat Export Marketing (Repeal and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 to 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."

References

 Yes Yes (strong) Passed by a large majority

4th Jun 2008, 10:27 AM – Representatives Wheat Export Marketing Bill 2008 - Second Reading - Read a second time

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

Background to the bill

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 Wheat Export Marketing Bill 2008 was introduced with the Wheat Export Marketing (Repeal and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 to 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."

References

 Yes Yes (strong) Passed by a large majority

7th Dec 2006, 7:58 PM – Representatives Wheat Marketing Amendment Bill 2006 - Consideration in Detail - Independent review

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The majority voted against an amendment that was introduced by Labor MP Simon Crean.

Mr Crean argued that this amendment would create a much needed comprehensive independent review into the key issues that need to be addressed in respect of Australia's wheat industry.(Read more about the amendments here. ) For example, the review would consider returns to growers, the economic impact of export wheat control arrangements and the benefits of maintaining export wheat control.

Background to the bill

The Wheat Marketing Amendment Bill 2006 has been introduced to transfer the right to veto bulk wheat export applications from the Australian Wheat Board (International) (AWB(I))(AWB (International) is a subsidiary of AWB Ltd. Before the Wheat Marketing Amendment Bill 2006 was passed, it held the mandate for the single desk wheat export operation, including the power to veto other exports of bulk wheat.) to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry until 30 June 2007. It is a response to the Volker report into the UN Oil-for-food program and the later Cole inquiry. These investigations arose out of the AWB scandal, which involved Australian Wheat Board Ltd (AWB) paying kickbacks to to Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime.

References

 Yes Yes Not passed by a small majority

How "voted very strongly for" is worked out

The MP's votes count towards a weighted average where the most important votes get 50 points, less important votes get 10 points, and less important votes for which the MP was absent get 2 points. In important votes the MP gets awarded the full 50 points for voting the same as the policy, 0 points for voting against the policy, and 25 points for not voting. In less important votes, the MP gets 10 points for voting with the policy, 0 points for voting against, and 1 (out of 2) if absent.

Then, the number gets converted to a simple english language phrase based on the range of values it's within.

No of votes Points Out of
Most important votes (50 points)      
MP voted with policy 3 150 150
MP voted against policy 0 0 0
MP absent 0 0 0
Less important votes (10 points)      
MP voted with policy 2 20 20
MP voted against policy 0 0 0
Less important absentees (2 points)      
MP absent* 0 0 0
Total: 170 170

*Pressure of other work means MPs or Senators are not always available to vote – it does not always indicate they have abstained. Therefore, being absent on a less important vote makes a disproportionatly small difference.

Agreement score = MP's points / total points = 170 / 170 = 100%.

And then