4. The representative of Australia said that her delegation's position was well known and was encapsulated in TN/IP/W/5 and TN/IP/W/9 (hereinafter "the joint proposal"). Contrary to the other proposals on the table, the joint proposal clearly stayed within the mandate of the Special Session. She agreed that the administrative costs and burdens of such a system were an important issue and emphasized that it was a strength of the joint proposal that it would be simple and the least costly for participating Members and that it would entail no cost to non-participating Members. She said that the approach taken by the EC had serious implications for all Members and would take the discussion outside the specific mandate for the negotiations.
