Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, could I also thank you and congratulate you on your term in office and thank you for your kind words about how much you missed Senator Carr and me in the last week.

I took two questions without notice from Senator Colbeck earlier today. I would like to provide a response to these questions. The government has issued drafting instructions for this measure. Consistent with provisions of the excise and customs legislation, the revenue can be collected for 12 months from the time the tariff alterations are proposed in the parliament or until the close of the parliamentary session—that is, until the next election—whichever occurs first. The government intends introducing the required customs and excise tariff amendment bills into parliament consistent with those provisions.

The answer to Senator Colbeck’s second question is that, yes, we seek all kinds of advice and Treasury seeks legal advice where appropriate. It is standard practice that governments do not release legal advice. Consistent with provisions of the excise and customs legislation, the revenue can be collected—

John Hogg (Queensland, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Conroy, please resume your seat. There are too many groups having conversations around the chamber. Senator Heffernan and Senator Fielding, this is the second time today.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I was saying, consistent with provisions of the excise and customs legislation, the revenue can be collected for 12 months from the time the tariff alterations are proposed in the parliament or until the close of the parliamentary session—that is, until the next election—whichever occurs first. The government intends introducing the required customs and excise tariff amendment bills into parliament consistent with those provisions.