1998-99

THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (CUSTOMS) CHARGES BILL 1998

SUPPLEMENTARY EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

AMENDMENTS TO BE MOVED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,
the Hon Mark Vaile, MP)

ISBN:  0642 390363

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (CUSTOMS) CHARGES BILL 1998

GENERAL OUTLINE
This explanatory memorandum relates to amendments to the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Bill 1998 requested by industry to the Bill tabled in December 1998.

FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
There are no immediate financial implications for the Commonwealth, other than the savings involved when changes need to be made, unless and until new levies are imposed under this Act, as a result of these amendments and corrections.

AMENDMENTS

NOTES ON CLAUSES

Amendment 1: - Schedule 9 (honey), page 31 (line 10)

This amendment amends the definition of producers’ organisation for the purpose of this Schedule.

The amendment is required because the Federal Council of Australian Apiarists’ Associations (FCAAA) has been replaced as the industry’s representative body by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC).

Amendment 2: - Schedule 9 (honey), page 31 (lines 14 to 19)

This amendment amends the definition of R&D authority for the purpose of this Schedule by repealing paragraph A of the definition.  The paragraph is redundant because the Rural Industries Research Act 1985 was repealed by the Primary Industries and Energy Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1996.

Amendment 3: - Schedule 9 (honey), page 32 (line 20)

This amendment amends the operative charge rate on the export of honey.

The amendment is required to reflect the fact that the operative rate has been set at 0.75 cents per kilogram since 25 June 1998 by Statutory Rules 1998  No 145.

Amendment 4: - Schedule 9 (honey), page 32 (lines 21)

This amendment amends the maximum charge rate on the export of honey.

The amendment is required because the research component is currently operating at its maximum level and therefore provides little scope for increase.

By increasing the maximum rate at this time it allows the operative rate to be increased without the need for further amendment to this legislation in the foreseeable future.  It should be noted that any operative rate increase will be through regulatory change and thus subject to scrutiny by Parliament.