The historic trade agreement that the Coalition government has signed with Japan is a win for exporters and consumers.

This has been stated by the Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams following the signing of the Japan Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) .

He said more than 97% of Australia’s exports to Japan will now receive preferential access or enter duty-free when fully implemented. 

“Japan is Australia’s largest market for beef with exports totalling $1.4 billion last year.

This agreement will see the tariff on frozen beef fall from 38.5% to 30.5% on day one, and then phase to 19.5% over 18 years.

Feedback is being sought from organisations that wish to be involved in the Coalition government’s 20 Million Trees 

Programme.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams says the programme will be implemented through two streams of competitive grants to land managers and local community groups, and a tender process for larger-scale Service Providers.

Senator Williams said the government, as part of the National Landcare Programme, has allowed $50 million over four years with funding to start this financial year with a target of planting 20 million trees by 2020.

Today’s announcement by the Commonwealth Bank of a massive review programme of its previous financial planning advice is welcome news.

The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams said CBA has obviously scrutinised the Senate committee report into the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the damning evidence about wrongdoings by some of its financial planners.

Senator Williams said he is delighted to see the Chief Executive Officer Ian

Today the Senate Economics References Committee handed down its report into the performance of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

The report consists of over 500 pages and contains 61recommendations that have been developed following the receipt of 474 submissions and 5 public hearings

The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams was one of the Senators who instigated the inquiry and says the report is supported by all sides of politics because it addresses some glaring deficiencies in various aspects of ASIC’s operations.

Enforcement action by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on the misleading labelling of honey is welcome but is just the tip of the iceberg, according to the Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams.

The ACCC has imposed penalties of $30,600 on a company for misrepresenting that its product called “Victoria Honey” was honey produced by honey bees, when it was actually found to mainly comprise sugars from plants including corn and sugar cane.

Eligibility criteria for the Black Spot Roads programme has been changed to make it easier for regional communities to compete for additional funding for road safety projects.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Hunter John Williams said in 2015-16 and 2016-17 the Federal government’s investment in the Black Spot programme will almost triple to $160 million a year.

Senator Williams said the criteria changes include –