Exemptions from the Rice Marketing Act for Producers in the Northern Rivers Region
Rice Marketing Amendment Bill 2024
Legislative Council
Legislative Assembly
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon Tara Moriarty MLC (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Dugald Saunders NAT
“I start my contribution by saying that, whilst the Opposition will not oppose the Rice Marketing Amendment Bill 2024, some things need to be said. I fully take on board what the member for Monaro spoke about but, given what has happened, it seems like the industry has not really had a choice.”
Janelle Saffin ALP
“I speak in support of the Rice Marketing Amendment Bill 2024. I thank Minister Moriarty, who is in the advisers area, for the interest she took in this issue and for meeting with all stakeholders. Minister Whan detailed the transitional arrangements in his second reading speech. They will be done with care and consideration.”
Tamara Smith GRN
“I lead for The Greens in debate on the Rice Marketing Amendment Bill 2024. Our agriculture spokesperson, the Hon. Sue Higginson, MLC, in the other place is a dry rice farmer and she recused herself from leading on the bill in our party room—and rightly so, because she obviously has a vested interest.”
Helen Dalton IND
“I speak in debate on the Rice Marketing Amendment Bill 2024 to talk about the future of rice in our country. It must be remembered that 98 per cent of Australia’s rice is grown in the Riverina region in the electorate of Murray. There is a very good reason rice is grown in the southern areas.”
Justin Clancy LIB
“I contribute to debate on the Rice Marketing Amendment Bill 2024, which has significant implications for our rice industry and the many stakeholders involved. I acknowledge the member for Murray and concur with her words about SunRice, an organisation that has done significant work throughout the Riverina, and globally, to market a great Australian product.”
David Harris ALP
“I speak in support of the Rice Marketing Amendment Bill 2024. I acknowledge the Minister for introducing the bill to this place. I also acknowledge the Minister for Agriculture, who is in the vicinity of the Chamber. The bill recognises the value of evidence-based policy—an evidence base developed through detailed stakeholder engagement and robust economic analysis.”
Steve Whan ALP
“I start by thanking the member for Lismore, the member for Dubbo, the member for Ballina, the member for Albury, the member for Murray and the member for Wyong for their contributions to debate on the Rice Marketing Amendment Bill 2024. It is a historic day for the rice industry in Australia.”
News articles and press releases
Rice Marketing Amendment Bill 2024
The Hon. TARA MORIARTY, Minister for Agriculture — 2024-06-06
In summary, the bill will deregulate the rice industry in three key steps. Upon assent, the excluded area will be created for the Northern Rivers region, and the savings and transitional provisions will exclude rice grown in the Northern Rivers region from the application of the Act from 1 September 2024. Ten months later, from 1 July 2025 onwards, rice vesting will end for the rest of New South Wales and the Act will no longer apply to rice. In the year following, the Rice Marketing Board must take reasonable steps to wind up its affairs before 1 July 2026: collecting its receivables, disposing of any other assets, paying its debts and distributing any surplus funds to the determined New South Wales public authority. Once these activities are complete, the Rice Marketing Board will be dissolved and the Act repealed by Governor’s proclamation.