Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

I do not really have much to add to what I said before in relation to the Democrats’ amendments, which were very similar. I note and record my understanding of Senator Murray’s frustrations. I am sorry that I am not able to assist him but I do treat with respect his motivation and his concern. He does understand well that the government do not think it at all appropriate to be amending this bill in the way that is proposed by either the opposition or the Democrats. We have legislative proposals in relation to both the Dawson package and section 46 which will be proceeded with in due course, but they are not appropriate in relation to this particular bill.

I reject Senator Milne’s description of this legislation as some sort of proposal by the government to assist the major oil companies at the expense of the minor or independent retailers. That is absolutely and utterly incorrect. Its shows a complete misunderstanding of what is being proposed here. We are dealing with two quite redundant and irrelevant pieces of legislation, introduced I think in 1980, which no longer reflect the structure of the petrol retail industry. The advent of retailing by Coles and Woolworths has demonstrated the complete redundancy of the sites act and the franchise act. What we are doing in repealing those redundant acts is to bring in a specific Oilcode which is of considerable importance and benefit to the smaller retailers in this significant industry. So I reject out of hand that comment upon this legislation and place on record that the government oppose the opposition amendment.