Subscribe to RSS feedSenators weigh up blocking quarantine charges
Non-Labor senators were waiting on the details to emerge before deciding whether to block quarantine cost recovery moves flagged in this month's Budget.
The Federal Government has said it would seek to place further quarantine inspections costs on exporters but independent and opposition senators have said they may block the moves if they appeared too onerous.
"We're greatly concerned and want to see the detail as soon as we possibly can," a spokesman for shadow trade and transport minister Warren Truss said.
The opposition would negotiate with independent senators Nick Xenophon and Steven Fielding when the details emerged.
Mr Xenophon's spokesman said his office was awaiting details but was given to understand from Budget papers that the government was "going to slug rural producers".
He was confident that the Nationals would get the Liberals to agree to join an effort to thwart the move but was unsure of Mr Fielding's stance.
Mr Fielding has stated he would be prepared to help block the move if the Government refused to negotiate.
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