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ADDITIONAL COMMENTS BY LABOR SENATORS
Labor Senators are concerned that submitters and potential
submitters may not have been given enough time to consider the legislation
against the background of the administrative scheme. Customs have not afforded
details of the consultation which they indicate has taken place with industry
although there appears to have been extensive consultation with other
Government departments.
This represents an increasing trend of Government-directed
short (or extremely short) Senate inquiry processes. The result is inevitably
that often highly technical bills such as these see less public scrutiny and
less input from affected industry.
It should be kept in mind that the details of the changes
have only been made public since the introduction of the Bills early in
September with full implementation expected in January 2007.
The Howard Government would be well reminded that the prime
task of business operators is actually working, running and growing their
businesses, not making hurried submissions to Senate inquiries with last-minute
notice.
In confecting short turn-arounds for committee hearings into
legislation that directly affects the day-to-day operations of industry, the
Government is in effect ensuring the voice of industry is not heard.
Labor Senators therefore call on the Government to give
enough time for reasonable inquiry and reasonable notice so that business and
the wider community are adequately able to participate in the Senate committee
process.
SENATOR STEVE
HUTCHINS
DEPUTY CHAIR
SENATOR MARK BISHOP
SENATOR JOHN HOGG
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