Bounty (Agricultural Tractors) Amendment Act 1984

Overview

The Bounty (Agricultural Tractors) Amendment Act 1984, enacted by the Queen in right of the Commonwealth of Australia, was passed to address certain deficiencies and update the existing Bounty (Agricultural Tractors) Act 1966. This amendment aimed to refine the definitions and operational parameters concerning the bounty for agricultural tractors, specifically targeting the definition of the "terminating date" and adjusting the criteria for when the bounty becomes payable. The Act was assented to on 17 October 1984 and came into operation on 9 June 1984. The primary policy objective was to provide clarity and flexibility in the application of the bounty scheme, ensuring that it remains relevant and effective in supporting the agricultural sector.

Scope and Application

The Bounty (Agricultural Tractors) Amendment Act 1984 applies to the amendments of the Bounty (Agricultural Tractors) Act 1966, specifically concerning the definition of "terminating date" and the bounty payable in respect of certain tractors. This Act is a federal Commonwealth legislation, thereby extending its jurisdiction across all states and territories of Australia. It primarily targets entities involved in the agricultural sector, particularly those who are eligible to receive the bounty for the acquisition of certain agricultural tractors, as defined by the Principal Act. The Act clarifies the eligibility period for the bounty by defining the "terminating date" as a flexible period ending no later than 30 June 1985, which is subject to ministerial discretion and publication in the Gazette. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but the definitions and amendments provided may inherently exclude certain entities or transactions not fitting the criteria set out in the Principal Act. The application and enforcement of this Act may be further refined through subordinate instruments issued by the relevant authorities.

Key Provisions

The Bounty (Agricultural Tractors) Amendment Act 1984 makes specific changes to the Bounty (Agricultural Tractors) Act 1966, with key amendments outlined in sections 3 and 7 of the Principal Act. Section 3 redefines the term "terminating date" to clarify the timeframe for the bounty scheme, setting a maximum termination date of 30 June 1985. This date is to be officially determined by the Minister and must be communicated through a notice in the Gazette, depending on whether the fixed date is before or after 31 December 1984. Section 4 adjusts the date for the payment of the bounty to align with the new "terminating date" instead of the previously fixed date of 9 June 1984. The Act imposes certain obligations on the entities it governs, primarily focusing on the timeframe for the bounty payments. It mandates that the bounty payable in respect of certain agricultural tractors must be aligned with the "terminating date" as determined by the Minister. This requires careful administrative oversight to ensure that the bounty payments are issued correctly in accordance with the date fixed by the Minister. The Act also requires the Minister to publish notices in the Gazette to officially communicate the "terminating date" to all relevant parties, ensuring transparency and clarity in the implementation of the bounty scheme. Breach of the provisions outlined in the Bounty (Agricultural Tractors) Amendment Act 1984 may lead to civil or administrative consequences. For example, failure to adhere to the specified "terminating date" or improper communication of this date could result in legal challenges or penalties. Although the Act does not explicitly detail specific penalties for breaches, such actions could be subject to general legal consequences under the relevant governing legislation, which may include fines or other administrative sanctions. The precise consequences would depend on the nature and severity of the breach and any applicable laws or regulations at the time.