324. First allow me to congratulate you on your appointment and assure you of Australia's support as you pursue this important work and also the very important work in your informal role as karaoke leader for MC13!
325. We would like to thank South Africa for circulating this proposal which we are continuing to consider, and we hopefully come back with responses to the specific questions in the future.
326. Australia has been pleased to participate in the intensified discussions under the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce that have taken place since MC12. The Work Programme has encouraged Members to focus more deeply on specific agreed issues and enabled positive, forward-looking discussions on the benefits to be gained from engagement with e-commerce.
327. Australia has also been pleased to see that most topics under the Work Programme have stimulated fulsome discussions, including on how we support developing and least-developed countries to more fully reap the benefits of electronic commerce, including through reduction of trade costs, improved productivity and increased ability to participate in export markets.
328. Australia does not generally see the benefit of introducing a standing agenda item on this topic in the TRIPS Council. There is of course nothing preventing a Member from requesting an ad hoc agenda item where they have a specific issue to discuss that relates to the nexus of intellectual property and e-commerce. We consider that such ad hoc agenda items, where they are based on specific proposals or communications are more conducive to ensuring Members are able to fully prepare for the particular issue to be discussed, when compared to a standing agenda item on such a broad topic as e-commerce. We therefore consider that ad hoc agenda items would lead to a more productive exchange of views.
