Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I want to make a couple of points on where we are at. I respect the views put forward by Senator Xenophon. I am happy with the eight-day period he is asking for. So, if that could be clarified, the opposition would appreciate that. Unfortunately, as appears to be becoming a common trait of the government, there is apparently some deal that has been negotiated with the Greens and the Independents which the opposition have not been let in on. My understanding of that is—and again, because we have not been formally given advice by the government, it is hearsay—part of the approach that the government is taking is to narrow the base of the proposed levy by placing a cap under which the levy will not be charged. My understanding is that a breeder with fewer than 20 horses—or perhaps 20 registrations, and perhaps the minister can clarify that for me too—will not be levied under the proposals that are part of the secret deal between the Greens, the government and the Independents. We would like some advice on how far the base might be narrowed and what impact that might have for those paying the levy.