EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1982 NO. 252
CUSTOMS (PROHIBITED IMPORTS) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
Issued by the Authority of the Minister of State for the Capital Territory for and on behalf of the Minister of State for Industry and Commerce.
The purpose of the accompanying Regulation is to amend the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations to provide that jute wool packs imported into Australia under regulation 4K of the Regulations must comply with a new Australian Wool Corporation Standard published on 3 June 1982. The existing regulations require jute wool packs to conform to the Australian Wool Corporation standard published on 24 February 1982.
Earlier this year regulation 4K was amended because of a change in the standard specification of wool packs. The revised standard provided for a stronger and heavier pack but retained the requirement that the pack be identified by a red stripe.
The National Council of Wool Selling Brokers made representations to the Australian Wool Corporation that a different colour stripe (blue) be used for easier identification of the new stronger packs in brokers’ stores.
This amendment stems from a request by the Minister for Primary Industry following a recommendation from the Australian Wool Corporation that the standard specification be changed.
Overview
The Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1982 No. 252 were enacted to address the need for updated standards in the importation of jute wool packs into Australia. These regulations amend the existing Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations to reflect a new Australian Wool Corporation Standard published on 3 June 1982, superseding the previous standard from 24 February 1982. This change was prompted by a revision in the standard specification for wool packs, which now require a stronger and heavier pack, still identifiable by a coloured stripe. The shift from a red to a blue stripe was recommended by the Australian Wool Corporation and the National Council of Wool Selling Brokers to facilitate better identification in brokers’ stores. The regulation was issued by the Authority of the Minister of State for the Capital Territory on behalf of the Minister of State for Industry and Commerce, with the policy objective of aligning import standards with the latest specifications to maintain quality and identification practices.
Scope and Application
The Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1982 No. 252, apply to jute wool packs imported into Australia, specifying that they must comply with the new Australian Wool Corporation Standard published on 3 June 1982. This legislation is applicable to entities involved in the importation of jute wool packs, ensuring adherence to the specified standards set by the Australian Wool Corporation. The amendment, which follows a recommendation by the Australian Wool Corporation, addresses the need for a change in the standard specification of wool packs to ensure stronger and heavier packs, while also considering practical requirements for easier identification in brokers’ stores, as advocated by the National Council of Wool Selling Brokers. The scope of the legislation extends across Australia, with its application overseen by the Minister of State for the Capital Territory on behalf of the Minister of State for Industry and Commerce. Any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are determined by the specific provisions of the amended Regulations and any subordinate instruments issued under the authority of the relevant Ministers.
Key Provisions
The Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1982 No. 252, issued under the authority of the Minister of State for the Capital Territory for and on behalf of the Minister of State for Industry and Commerce, primarily amends Regulation 4K of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations to align with the updated Australian Wool Corporation Standard published on 3 June 1982. This amendment comes into effect as a response to changes in the standard specification of wool packs, which were initially governed by the standard published on 24 February 1982. Regulation 4K has already been modified earlier this year to account for the stronger and heavier wool packs, while maintaining the requirement for a red stripe on the packs for identification purposes.
Under the amended regulation, jute wool packs imported into Australia must now comply with the new Australian Wool Corporation Standard. This change was prompted by a recommendation from the Australian Wool Corporation following a request from the Minister for Primary Industry. The National Council of Wool Selling Brokers had suggested that a blue stripe be used on the new wool packs for easier identification in brokers' stores, leading to the revision of the regulation to incorporate this new requirement.
The obligations imposed by the amendment on the parties and entities it governs are primarily centred around the compliance with the new standard. Importers must ensure that any jute wool packs they bring into Australia meet the specifications outlined in the 3 June 1982 standard, which includes the mandatory blue stripe for identification. This requirement applies to all parties involved in the import process, including shipping companies, customs agents, and importers themselves.
Failure to comply with the amended regulations could lead to legal consequences. The specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the explanatory statement, but under the Customs Act 1901, breaches of customs regulations can lead to civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines, while criminal penalties can result in imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness with which the Australian government treats non-compliance with customs regulations. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and would be determined in accordance with the relevant sections of the Customs Act 1901.