Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am grateful to Senator Madigan. We share a common interest in the issue about which I will be asking the minister. My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Trade, Senator Conroy. Minister, following on from the answers you provided yesterday in relation to the import­ation of New Zealand apples, did the govern­ment receive any advice as to the withdrawal of concessions New Zealand would be entitled to impose in the event that import permits were not able to be issued by 17 August 2011? Who was the advice from and what was the nature and date of that advice?

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

I thank Senator Madi­gan for the question, sort of! The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provided advice to the government on New Zealand's rights under the WTO agreement in the event that Australia failed to comply with the outcome in the apples dispute, including the possibility of suspension of concessions. The Minister for Trade has explained in some detail the sorts of actions New Zealand would be able to take. I am happy to take on notice any other parts of the question and see if there is any further information that the minister would like to provide.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Minister, what steps would New Zealand be required to take to withdraw any concessions?

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Have a guess, Stephen!

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

Did a National Party member speak then? My goodness, they came out from under that rock. We thought you were under the doormat.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Conroy, just address the question.

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

My apologies, Mr President. Under WTO rules New Zealand would need to seek authorisation from the WTO dispute settlement body to suspend concessions.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supple­mentary question. Doesn't that answer assume that what WTO agreements do is to authorise the imposition of sanctions? Don't they just authorise that concessions no longer apply?

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

I will take that on notice and see if there is anything that the minister would like to add.

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Wouldn't have a clue!

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

You obviously do not know a great deal about it, Senator Williams.

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Oh, you got it right today—well done!

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

Frankly, Wacka, as you are known to all of us in the chamber—but that could be considered unparlia­mentary—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is.

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

I withdraw.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Conroy.

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

It is good to see the National Party has bobbed up its head. It is good to see that those who have been hiding have sought to make a contribution.

Senator Joyce interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Joyce, I am waiting to call someone who is sitting two rows behind you. Senator Boswell.