Deferral of EI Levy Legislation

The Australian Racing Board Chief Executive Andrew Harding has commended the Federal Agricultural Minister for his announcement this afternoon that he is deferring passage of the Federal Governments’ proposed levy legislation until after the Callinan Inquiry.

“This is a sensible outcome and Tony Burke is to be congratulated.”Andrew Harding.

“We had previously agreed with the former Minister Peter McGauran that the industry would not be saddled with the bill for cleaning up EI if it was shown that AQIS was culpable.”

“The current Minister Tony Burke has been excellent at approaching things with an open mind and as soon as the ARB pointed out our concerns about the role of AQIS in causing the outbreak he announced immediately that he would await the findings of the Callinan Inquiry before even contemplating introducing a levy to recover the $100 M plus costs of the EI eradication program. Today he has gone one step further and announced that voting on the legislation itself will be deferred until after Ian Callinan AC provides his report in late April.”

“The Australian Racing Board has represented the industry at the Callinan Inquiry over the past 3 months and is currently preparing a submission on what we believe his findings should be. This will include both our views on what was deficient this time, and our recommendations on what needs to be done in the future.”

“The Minister’s approach to assessing matters that affect the racing industry cannot be faulted. Last month it was his decision to extend the CHAPS scheme, something that looked like mission impossible getting past the Government’s razor gang on new expenditure, but he heard the industry’s needs, assessed the facts and made his call. Today’s announcement is in the same category.”

End Media Release

CHRONOLOGY

25/08/07 Escape of EI from Eastern Creek Quarantine Station is detected.

28/08/07 Australian Racing Board requests appointment of a retired judge to conduct an EI Inquiry with the powers of a Royal Commission.

02/09/07 Prime Minister announces appointment of retired High Court judge Ian Callinan AC to conduct EI Inquiry.

03/10/07 Australian Racing Board is granted leave by Ian Callinan AC to represent the industry at the Inquiry.

21/02/08 Horse Disease Response Levy Collection Bill introduced into Federal Parliament.

21/02/08 Australian Racing Board makes a submission to the Federal Government that it would be inequitable for the industry to pay for EI if AQIS can be shown to have been responsible for its escape from Eastern Creek Quarantine Station.

01/03/08 Federal Government announces that it agrees that Callinan Inquiry report will be the backdrop for any consideration being given to an EI levy on the industry.

10/03/08 Federal Government announces that passage of levy legislation to be deferred until after Callinan Inquiry.