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

In relation to the Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping Commission Transfer) Bill 2013 I indicate very briefly that more work needs to be done on issues of antidumping. The previous government moved a number of useful amendments in respect of the Anti-Dumping Commission. There is a question here as to whether the Anti-Dumping Commission should be transferred to the department. There are some, including the Brumby review, who indicated that this was not necessarily a good move in terms of the investigative powers available and the integrity standards applied to customs officers, so that is an issue of concern that I have and a matter that I think ought to be considered.

My question for the government—and I am happy for it to be taken on notice—is: how do you deal with those integrity issues that would apply to those within the department in the same way they apply to customs officers? That is the nub of my concerns. I reiterate my previous advocacy for a reversal of the onus of proof in dealing with dumping cases, but that is not the issue at stake here; it is an issue of whether the transfer of responsibilities is the most effective way to deal with these matters together with the issue of the integrity and probity that apply to customs officers and whether there ought to be similar thresholds and standards within the department.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank senators for their contributions. I will ask the minister to respond to the query raised by Senator Xenophon. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.