TABLE OF CONTENTS

REPORT ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE WOOL INTERNATIONAL AMENDMENT BILL 1998 AND ON THE BILL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1
The Committee's Inquiry
Reference of the Bill to the Committee
The Committee's Inquiry
Consideration of the Committee's Report
Acknowledgments

Chapter 2
Introduction
Importance of the wool industry
Background to Wool International
Size of stockpile and its reduction
Decision to freeze the stockpile

Chapter 3
Provisions of the Bill - Freezing of the Stockpile
The Bill
Views on the freeze of sales from the wool stockpile
- Support for the freeze
- Opposition to the freeze

Chapter 4
Provisions of the Bill - Privatisation of Wool International
Proposed process for privatisation of Wool International
Justification for privatisation of WI
Call for consultation
Criticism of privatisation
Committee concerns regarding the proposed privatisation of Wool International

Chapter 5
Suggested Amendments to the Bill
Suggested amendments and recommendations put forward in the evidence

Chapter 6
Conclusions and Recommendations
Introduction
Recommendations

Dissenting Report by Senators Forshaw, O'Brien and McKiernan
The basis for the freeze
Impact of the freeze on private sector initiatives
Impact of the freeze on wool prices
The de-mutualisation of Wool International
Consultation with industry
Cost of privatisation
Conclusions
Recommendations

Reservation

Senator John Woodley on Behalf of the Australian Democrats

Appendices
Appendix 1 - List of submissions received
Appendix 2 - List of witnesses appearing before the Committee