Nick Champion (Wakefield, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

We do not know who is going to be accredited yet. So I think that will be a critical part of the bill. The other critical part of bill is the prevention of regional monopolies, and  the role of the ACCC is going to be essential in this area. I note that the Leader of the Opposition says, ‘Why do you need two forms of regulation?’ But I think that the prospect of the ACCC’s involvement after 1 October 2009 will help to ensure that regional monopolies are not created, because the small number of operators of bulk grain facilities will know that strong regulation and strong oversight is waiting there in the future. They will also know that the bill will be reviewed by the Productivity Commission in 2010.

Given the short amount of time that I have had to speak, I do not want to unduly take up the time of the House, but the government is committed to open, transparent and competitive markets, and this bill is a perfect expression of that belief. I have every reason to believe and expect that our farming and wheat export businesses will compete, flourish and prosper under the new arrangements. I commend the bill to the House.

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