Cattle Export Charges Amendment Act 1995

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Cattle Export Charges Amendment Act 1995

No. 74 of 1995

 

An Act to amend the Cattle Export Charge Act 1990

[Assented to 30 June 1995]

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

Short title etc.

1.(1) This Act may be cited as the Cattle Export Charges Amendment Act 1995.

(2) In this Act, "Principal Act" means the Cattle Export Charge Act 1990.


Commencement

2. This Act commences, or is taken to have commenced, on 1 July 1995.

Amendments

3. The Principal Act is amended as set out in the Schedule.

__________


 SCHEDULE Section 3

AMENDMENTS OF THE PRINCIPAL ACT

1. Title:

Omit "a charge", substitute "charges".

2. Section 1:

Omit "Charge", substitute "Charges".

3. Subsection 4(1) (definition of "Corporation"):

Omit.

4. Subsection 4(1):

Insert:

" 'Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation' means the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation continued in existence by section 53 of the Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1995;

'bobby calf' means a bovine animal (other than a buffalo):

(a) which, at the time when it was or is exported, had or has a liveweight that did not or does not exceed 80kg; or

(b) which has not had its liveweight determined at the time when it was or is exported but which, in the opinion of the person responsible, in accordance with subsection (5), for sending the charge, would, if slaughtered at that time, have constituted or constitute a carcase whose dressed weight would not have exceeded or would not exceed 40kg;

'chargeable bobby calf' means a bobby calf to which subsection 6A(4) does not apply;

'Meat Industry Council' means the Meat Industry Council established by section 8 of the Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1995;

'Meat Research Corporation' means the Meat Research Corporation continued in existence by section 166 of the Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1995;

'National Cattle Disease Eradication Trust Account' means the trust account of that name continued in existence by section 4 of the National Cattle Disease Eradication Trust Account Act 1991.".

5. Section 4:

Add at the end:

"(4) In determining the weight of a carcase immediately after it has been dressed, no adjustment of that weight is to be made on account of shrinkage.


SCHEDULE—continued

"(5) For the purposes of the definition of ‘bobby calf in subsection (1), if an amount equal to the amount of charge is required to be paid to the Commonwealth by a person (the 'relevant person') other than the person primarily liable for the payment of charge, the person responsible for sending the charge is taken to be the relevant person.".

6. Section 5:

(a) Omit "cattle (other than dairy cattle) exported", substitute "the export of cattle (other than dairy cattle)".

(b) Add at the end:

"(2) A charge is imposed on the export from Australia on or after 1 February 1991 of cattle (other than dairy cattle) if cattle transaction levy under the Cattle Transaction Levy Act 1995 has not been paid, and is not payable, in respect of an act or transaction relating to the cattle.

"(3) A charge is imposed on the export from Australia on or after 1 July 1995 of cattle (other than dairy cattle) if:

(a) the cattle were purchased, whether before, on or after that date, by the exporter; and

(b) the period beginning on the date of purchase and ending on the date of export exceeds the longest of the following periods:

(i) 60 days;

(ii) the period for which the cattle are required under the Quarantine Act 1908 to be held in quarantine before being exported;

(iii) the period for which the cattle are required under the law of the country to which the cattle are being exported to be held in quarantine before being exported.".

7. Subsection 6(1):

Omit "The rate of charge imposed", substitute "Subject to subsection (1A), the rate of charge imposed by subsection 5(1)".

Note: The heading to section 6 is altered by inserting "imposed by subsection 5(1)" after "charge".

8. Paragraph 6(1)(a):

Before "Corporation" insert "Australian Meat and Live-stock".

9. After subsection 6(1):

Insert:


SCHEDULE—continued

"(1A) The rate of charge imposed by subsection 5(1) on the export of cattle on or after 1 July 1995 consists of the sum of the amounts, per kilogram of cattle so exported, referred to in the following paragraphs:

(a) 0.1 cent or, if another amount (not exceeding 1 cent) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount, for the purpose of payment to the Meat Industry Council;

(b) 0.7 cent or, if another amount (not exceeding 2 cents) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount, for the purpose of payment to the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation;

(c) 0.247 cent or, if another amount (not exceeding 0.5 cent) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount, for the purpose of payment to the Meat Research Corporation.".

10. Subsection 6(4):

Omit.

11. After section 6:

Insert:

Rates of charges imposed by subsections 5(2) and (3) on export of cattle

"6A.(1) The rate of charge imposed by subsection 5(2) on the export of each head of cattle (other than a chargeable bobby calf) consists of the sum of the amounts referred to in the following paragraphs:

(a) 8 cents or, if another amount (not exceeding 50 cents) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount, for the purpose of payment to the Meat Industry Council;

(b) whichever of the following amounts is applicable, for the purpose of payment to the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation:

(i) if the export of that head of cattle occurred before 1 March 1993—$3.15;

(ii) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 March 1993 and before 1 July 1994—$2.58;

(iii) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 July 1994 and before 1 July 1995—$2.16;

(iv) if the export of that head of cattle occurs on or after 1 July 1995—$2.08 or, if another amount (not exceeding $6.00) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount;

(c) whichever of the following amounts is applicable, for the purpose of payment to the Meat Research Corporation:

(i) if the export of that head of cattle occurred before 1 May 1991—46 cents;


SCHEDULE—continued

(ii) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 May 1991 and before 1 March 1993—88 cents;

(iii) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 March 1993 and before 1 July 1994—78 cents;

(iv) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 July 1994 and before 1 July 1995—72 cents;

(v) if the export of that head of cattle occurs on or after 1 July 1995—72 cents or, if another amount (not exceeding $2.00) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount;

(d) whichever of the following amounts is applicable, for the purpose of payment to the National Cattle Disease Eradication Trust Account:

(i) if the export of that head of cattle occurred before 1 December 1991—$2.10;

(ii) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 December 1991 and before 1 March 1993—85 cents;

(iii) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 March 1993 and before 1 July 1993—52 cents;

(iv) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 July 1993 and before 1 July 1995—46 cents;

(v) if the export of that head of cattle occurs on or after 1 July 1995—44 cents or, if another amount (not exceeding $4.00) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount;

(e) if the export of that head of cattle occurred before 1 July 1993— 12 cents, for the purposes of the National Residue Survey.

"(2) The rate of charge imposed by subsection 5(2) on the export of each head of cattle that is a chargeable bobby calf consists of the sum of the amounts referred to in the following paragraphs:

(a) 8 cents or, if another amount (not exceeding 50 cents) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount, for the purpose of payment to the Meat Industry Council;

(b) whichever of the following amounts is applicable, for the purpose of payment to the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation:

(i) if the export of that head of cattle occurred before 1 March 1993—70 cents;

(ii) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 March 1993 and before 1 July 1994—57 cents;

(iii) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 July 1994 and before 1 July 1995—48 cents;


SCHEDULE—continued

(iv) if the export of that head of cattle occurs on or after 1 July 1995—40 cents or, if another amount (not exceeding $1.40) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount;

(c) whichever of the following amounts is applicable, for the purpose of payment to the Meat Research Corporation:

(i) if the export of that head of cattle occurred before 1 May 1991—10 cents;

(ii) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 May 1991 and before 1 March 1993—19 cents;

(iii) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 March 1993 and before 1 July 1994—17 cents;

(iv) if the export of that head of cattle occurred on or after 1 July 1994 and before 1 July 1995—16 cents;

(v) if the export of that head of cattle occurs on or after 1 July 1995—16 cents or, if another amount (not exceeding 40 cents) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount;

(d) whichever of the following amounts is applicable, for the purpose of payment to the National Cattle Disease Eradication Trust Account:

(i) if the export of that head of cattle occurred before 1 December 1991—08 cents;

(ii) if the export of that head of cattle occurs on or after 1 July 1995—such amount (not exceeding 20 cents) as is prescribed by the regulations;

(e) if the export of that head of cattle occurred before 1 July 1993— 12 cents, for the purposes of the National Residue Survey.

"(3) The rate of charge imposed by subsection 5(3) on the export of each head of cattle consists of the sum of the amounts referred to in the following paragraphs:

(a) 8 cents or, if another amount (not exceeding 50 cents) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount, for the purpose of payment to the Meat Industry Council;

(b) $2.08 or, if another amount (not exceeding $6.00) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount, for the purpose of payment to the Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation;

(c) 72 cents or, if another amount (not exceeding $2.00) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount, for the purpose of payment to the Meat Research Corporation;

(d) 44 cents or, if another amount (not exceeding $4.00) is prescribed by the regulations, the other amount, for the purpose of payment to the National Cattle Disease Eradication Trust Account.


SCHEDULE—continued

"(4) For the purposes of determining the amount of levy in respect of a cow with a calf at foot, the cow and calf constitute a single head of cattle to which subsection (1) applies.".

12. Section 7:

Omit "The charge on cattle exported", substitute "A charge on the export of cattle".

13. Subsections 8(2) to (7):

Omit, substitute:

"(2) The power of the Governor-General to make regulations prescribing an amount for the purposes of section 6 or section 6A (other than paragraphs (1)(d), (2)(d) and (3)(d)) is exercisable only on the advice of the Executive Council given after the Council has taken into consideration the recommendations with respect to the amount made to the Minister by the Meat Industry Council.

"(3) The Meat Industry Council must not make a recommendation to the Minister for the purposes of section 6 or section 6A (other than paragraphs (1)(d), (2)(d) and (3)(d)):

(a) if a motion that the terms of the recommendation be endorsed has not been put before the last general meeting of the Australian meat and live-stock industry convened under section 22 of the Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1995 before the making of that recommendation; or

(b) if such a motion is so put and defeated.

"(4) The Meat Industry Council must, at the time of making a recommendation of the kind referred to in subsection (3) to the Minister, give the Minister written particulars of the voting in respect of the motion that the terms of the recommendation be endorsed.".

 

[Minister's second reading speech made in—

House of Representatives on 7 June 1995

Senate on 20 June 1995]

Overview

The Cattle Export Charges Amendment Act 1995, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aims to address and rectify certain issues and gaps in the original Cattle Export Charge Act 1990. This amendment legislation was assented to on 30 June 1995 and came into effect on 1 July 1995. It introduces amendments to the principal Act, primarily focusing on updating terminology, clarifying definitions, and adjusting the rates of charges imposed on the export of cattle. The underlying policy objective of this Act is to ensure that the charge system remains fair, transparent, and effectively supports the meat and livestock industry while accommodating changes in industry structures and operational requirements.

Scope and Application

The Cattle Export Charges Amendment Act 1995 amends the Cattle Export Charge Act 1990 and applies to the export of cattle (excluding dairy cattle) from Australia. The Act imposes charges on the export of cattle based on specific conditions, including the payment of the cattle transaction levy under the Cattle Transaction Levy Act 1995, the period between the purchase and export of the cattle, and other criteria outlined in the amended Act. The charges are levied per kilogram of cattle exported and are allocated to various entities, including the Meat Industry Council, the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation, the Meat Research Corporation, the National Cattle Disease Eradication Trust Account, and the National Residue Survey. The Act commenced on 1 July 1995, and the rates of charge are subject to variation through regulations, with certain recommendations needing to be considered by the Meat Industry Council and approved by the Executive Council. The Act extends its application nationally across Australia and is subject to modifications through subordinate instruments, specifically regulations that can alter charge rates.

Key Provisions

The Cattle Export Charges Amendment Act 1995 makes several key amendments to the Cattle Export Charge Act 1990, which will now be referred to as "charges" instead of "a charge." The changes include updating the definitions of certain terms, such as "bobby calf" and "Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation," and clarifying the circumstances under which a charge is imposed on the export of cattle. The Act also specifies the rates of charge for different categories of cattle exports and provides details on how these charges are to be distributed among various entities, including the Meat Industry Council, Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation, Meat Research Corporation, and the National Cattle Disease Eradication Trust Account. The obligations imposed by this Act on the entities it governs include ensuring that any charge imposed on the export of cattle is calculated and distributed according to the specified rates and purposes outlined in the Act. The Act also mandates that the Meat Industry Council must follow a specific process when making recommendations to the Minister regarding the rates of charge, including ensuring that any such recommendation is endorsed by a motion at a general meeting of the Australian meat and live-stock industry. Furthermore, the Governor-General must exercise the power to make regulations prescribing charge amounts on the advice of the Executive Council, which must consider the recommendations of the Meat Industry Council. There are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined in the Act for breaches of its provisions. However, the Act does stipulate that the power to make regulations prescribing charge amounts is exercisable only on the advice of the Executive Council, which must consider recommendations from the Meat Industry Council. This ensures a level of oversight and accountability in the process of determining and implementing the rates of charge for cattle exports. Failure to adhere to the recommended processes and guidelines could result in legal challenges or other forms of recourse, although these are not explicitly detailed within the Act itself.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.