SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — The Wheat Export Marketing Amendment Bill 2012 was introduced into the Australian Parliament on March 21 and has yet to be debated.

It would implement the Australian Government’s response to the Productivity Commission review of Wheat Export Marketing Arrangements. If passed, the bill will abolish the Wheat Export Accreditation Scheme and the Wheat Export Charge on Sept. 30, and wind-up WEA on Dec. 31.

Port access test requirements will remain in place until Sept. 30, 2014, when full deregulation will occur. This will be subject to the development and implementation of a non-prescribed voluntary code of conduct for port terminal operators that export bulk wheat.

Both the Austrlain House of Representatives and Senate have conducted inquiries into the bill and these reports can also be accessed online:

House Standing Committee on Agriculture, - resources, Fisheries and Forestry Advisory Report on the Wheat Export Marketing Amendment Bill 2012

The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and - Transport Legislation Committee -Wheat Export Marketing Amendment Bill 2012 [Provisions]In April, the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee also tabled a report into Operational issues in export grain networks.