re: single desk not lost...pm says SINGLE DESK FOR WHEAT...

re: single desk not lost...pm says SINGLE DESK FOR WHEAT EXPORTS






The claim in today’s Sydney Morning Herald (page 1) that the Government is “firmly committed” to ending AWB Limited’s wheat export monopoly is quite wrong.


Contrary to the Herald report the issue was not raised during my talks yesterday with Premiers and Chief Ministers.


There has, understandably, been some public debate recently about the single desk policy.


No decision, however, has been taken by the Government to change that policy.


Under current principles of national competition policy the Government is obliged, periodically, to review the legislation which established the single desk. That will continue to be the case in the future.


That obligation to review the legislation does not, of itself, imply any future change in policy


11 February 2006