Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, , 1:35:49 to 1:42:18
Inquiry into industry levy settings for the GRDC, state-by-state levy contributions, and funding allocations for the Regional Investment Corporation.
Topics: Agricultural research and levies, Regional Investment Corporation
Speakers: Speaker 5, Speaker 13, Matthew Gson, Speaker 1, Speaker 3, Mr. Matthew Gson, Ms. Tina Hutcherson, Speaker 14, Speaker 8, Speaker 9
>> I do want to talk to the department about industry levy setting, particularly the GRDC. Is that corporate or is that later on?
>> Uh, depending on the nature of question, it's most likely corporate or could be the GDC depending on what you're asking.
>> No, no, no. I I would definitely ask GC questions, but I want to talk about the department's role
>> generally.
>> Yeah. outcome >> depending on what you're asking Senator. So I I've definitely got the levies compliance program with me and overall levy recovered and uh comwalth matching payments but if we're going to rates and policies that'll be I think outcome one.
>> So rates and policies will be an outcome one. >> That's right. >> Um can I just ask a couple of questions here then s >> go for it chair. um in in terms of particularly the GRDC levy, do you break down um at all state by state?
>> Um
not I would need to check, Senator. Uh we certainly recover when we recover the um the levy we would track we could potentially track. I'd have to dig in with the team and see whether we actually track it. um with an identifier per state or territory.
>> Okay, I'll ask the GC as well, but can you take on notice the state-by-state breakdown over the last four years of the GDC levy in particular? Obviously, I would like to see how much is coming from my home state of Western Australia. Uh considering the fact we've had three crops in excess of 20 million uh uh over the last four years. So, I'd like to see how much of the levy has been contributed over that four years uh from Western Australia. Um do you think that's in a table somewhere? Is that something I could ask in outcome one or is that something you're going to have
to work up? >> I might ask the team in the break if that's all right and then if and I'm around for outcome one. So, if it's
something come back to this in outcome
then
>> thanks Senator Canada. >> Um I just uh uh wanted to ask about the timing here. So, people have been given 60 days, have they? Is that right? >> No, sorry. How long have they been given >> to respond to the
>> Sorry, we just need to bring the the crew back to the table. It's I think it's around 36 days or 5 weeks,
>> right? Okay. >> Uh yes, Senator. So, the um consultation period is open from the 29th of January to the 6th of March, which is around 35 days.
>> 36 36 days. >> Okay. There has been some industries been asking for an extension. It does seem a pretty short period. Is it Have you aware of those requests?
>> I received a request last night at 7:36 p.m. So to consider an extension.
>> Okay. Um I presume that's still under consideration then.
>> It's definitely still under consideration.
>> All right. Um uh Okay. All right. Well, we'll leave that there. Um I just just quickly while I've still got corporate back to my EO the um the billion dollars for the regional investment corporation is that allocated for particular years
>> Senator I think in the um portfolio additional estimates it's evenly split across the three years the billion dollars. >> Yeah the billion dollars. Uh yes it is Senator. On page 23 uh you'll find in the bottom of table 1.33,334,000
per. >> Okay. All right. The um forestry growth fund the $300 million um was the department consulted on how to allocate that over eight years?
Uh >> uh that might be a question. Come on. Just in terms of the consultation, I think it's better to ask
that >> want to make sure it's a >> financing situation. Um probably don't need that just on the levies that changed. Have all of those been agreed by the ADC's? >> Uh I understand. So, Senator, but I might need to check later.
>> If it's if it's um better, Senator Mr. G will be around during outcome one. So, if if you don't get to them here, don't worry that we will not have someone who
can answer. >> Okay. Um I think that will do me for corporate
>> chair. All right. Good on you. Thank you very much, Senator Canada. Goodbye. >> And let's um get outcome and don't stay in the building. Go in case.
>> No, some of them are staying. Unfortunately, I've made some
undertakings. >> I can't be any more clearer than that. If I see you in the hallway, I'll kick you. >> Okay. Bye. Okay. Um, we've got about 20 minutes to go till uh outcome one. So, officers, if you can make your way here and then Senator Canavan, I'll give you the call. Bearing in mind that we will pull up for smoke. Oh, sorry. 11.
>> Yeah. Just boy.
>> Okay. Let's suspend while they come to the table. Welcome officers, questions can be.