re: fed govt remarks:-4%
Govt talking about removing monopoly after the inquiry
Last Update: Wednesday, February 1, 2006. 12:43pm (AEDT) Wheat export arrangements under review The Federal Government is signalling it will make significant changes to Australia's wheat export arrangements after the oil-for-food inquiry delivers its findings.
Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran says everything, including AWB's monopoly export powers, is now on the table because of evidence given to the inquiry.
Treasurer Peter Costello signalled the changes, saying monopoly wheat exporter AWB's veto to stop other exporters from shipping wheat needed to be looked at by the Government.
"If you ask me my personal view, yes I believe that ought to be looked at," he said.
He says the Government could give licences to other companies.
"There is a provision I believe for other people to be licensed to actually make export sales," he said.
"The trouble is, nobody's ever been given such a licence - if you ask me, in appropriate circumstances, those licences should be given."
That could have added more fuel to tensions between the Liberal and National parties but Agriculture Minister and Nationals MP Peter McGauran has backed the Treasurer.
He says it is now impossible for the current wheat exports arrangements to remain.
"All things are on the table but the Government's not making hasty decisions," he said.
That breaks a key election commitment to retain the single desk at least until 2010 but Mr McGauran says evidence heard by the inquiry has made it "unreal" not to act.
The single desk is managed by monopoly exporter AWB, which is the target of claims it paid $290 million in kickbacks to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
AWB Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held
