Australian Animal Health Council (Live-stock Industries) Funding Amendment Act 2002 - Proclamation (16/04/2003)

Overview

The Australian Animal Health Council (Livestock Industries) Funding Amendment Act 2002 was enacted to address the need for amendments to funding arrangements for the Australian Animal Health Council (Livestock Industries). This legislation was introduced by the Parliament of Australia, aiming to ensure the effective administration and funding of the council to support livestock industries. The policy objective behind the Act is to provide adequate financial resources to the Australian Animal Health Council, enabling it to perform its role in safeguarding animal health and welfare within the livestock sector. The proclamation, signed by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Peter John Hollingworth, confirms the commencement of the legislative instrument on 1 May 2003, as per the provisions outlined in the Act.

Scope and Application

The Australian Animal Health Council (Livestock Industries) Funding Amendment Act 2002 applies to the Australian Animal Health Council (AAHLC), which is tasked with coordinating national animal health activities, including the allocation of funding for livestock industries. The Act specifically addresses the funding mechanisms for the AAHLC, ensuring that it has the necessary resources to carry out its functions effectively. This Act extends its jurisdiction throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, affecting entities involved in the livestock industry, including farmers, industry associations, and relevant state and territory authorities. It ensures that the funding provided by the Commonwealth supports the national approach to animal health management and emergency response. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions or thresholds, but it is understood that the funding and provisions apply broadly to the livestock sector across Australia. The Act may also be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, such as regulations or guidelines, which provide further detail on the allocation and use of funds.

Key Provisions

The Australian Animal Health Council (Livestock Industries) Funding Amendment Act 2002 (hereafter referred to as the Act) primarily focuses on the funding mechanisms for the Australian Animal Health Council (AAHC) as outlined in Schedule 1. Section 2(1) of the Act mandates that the Act commence on 1 May 2003, as proclaimed by the Governor-General. The main operative sections of the Act are those that define how funding will be allocated to the AAHC and its activities related to livestock industries. These sections require the Council to receive financial support to effectively carry out its functions, such as providing scientific and technical advice on animal health and promoting the interests of livestock industries. The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties it governs, particularly on the AAHC. For example, Section 3(1) requires the AAHC to use the funding provided under the Act for activities that benefit the livestock industries, including research, development, and dissemination of information on animal health. This funding is intended to support the AAHC in fulfilling its mandate to protect Australia's animal health and maintain the integrity of its livestock industries. Additionally, Section 4(2) mandates that the Council must report annually on its activities and financial expenditures to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of allocated funds. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act can lead to various consequences, as outlined in Section 7. The Act stipulates that breaches of its provisions may result in civil or criminal penalties. For instance, Section 7(1) states that an entity found to have misused funds allocated under the Act could face civil penalties, including fines. Furthermore, Section 7(3) specifies that in cases of wilful or negligent breaches, individuals may be subject to criminal penalties, including imprisonment. The maximum penalties for such offences are not explicitly stated in the Act but are typically determined by the courts based on the severity and nature of the breach.