Dairy Produce Levy (Amounts of Levy) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Dairy Produce Levy (Amounts of Levy) Regulations 1964, Statutory Rules 1964, No. 77, were enacted to amend the existing levies on certain dairy products as prescribed under the Dairy Produce Levy Act 1958-1964. These regulations address the need to update the prescribed amounts of levy on dairy products, specifically including butter powder and butteroil or ghee, in response to changes in the market or legislative environment. The amendments were made under the authority of the Commonwealth Parliament and were notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 25 June 1964. The policy objective is to ensure that the levies accurately reflect the current economic conditions and the value of the dairy products in question, thereby maintaining the integrity of the regulatory framework governing dairy produce levies.

Scope and Application

The Dairy Produce Levy (Amounts of Levy) Regulations 1964 applies to entities involved in the production, processing, or sale of dairy products within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically targeting those engaged in the manufacture or sale of butter, butter powder, butteroil, or ghee. These Regulations are subordinate instruments made under the authority of the Dairy Produce Levy Act 1958-1964, thereby extending the reach of the primary Act by specifying the exact amounts of the levy applicable to various dairy products. The levy is calculated per pound of the product and is implemented to ensure compliance with the financial obligations set forth by the Act. These Regulations provide clarity on the financial burdens placed upon industry participants and ensure a consistent application of the levy across the Commonwealth.

Key Provisions

The Dairy Produce Levy (Amounts of Levy) Regulations, which come into effect on the first day of July, 1964, outline the specific amounts of levy applicable to certain dairy products under the Dairy Produce Levy Act 1958-1964. Regulation 2 clarifies that the previous reference to the “Dairy Produce Levy Act 1958” is now replaced with “Dairy Produce Levy Act 1958-1964.” Additionally, Regulation 3 extends the application of the levy to include butter powder alongside butter. A new regulation, added to the end of the document, specifies the levy amounts for butteroil or ghee, which is set at five sixty-fourths of a penny per pound for certain purposes, and five thirty-seconds of a penny per pound for other purposes, as detailed in the new sub-regulations (5). These regulations impose specific financial obligations on producers or handlers of the dairy products mentioned, requiring them to pay the prescribed levies as outlined. The levy amounts are determined based on the type of dairy product and the specific circumstances under which the levy is applied, as defined in the Act. Compliance with these regulations is crucial for those involved in the production, processing, or sale of butter, butter powder, butteroil, or ghee to ensure they are contributing the appropriate financial support as per the legislative requirements. Breach of these regulations, such as failure to pay the prescribed levies, could lead to enforcement actions. While the specific consequences are not detailed within the text, under the general principles of Australian administrative law, non-compliance could result in penalties, fines, or legal action. The exact penalties would depend on the specific provisions of the overarching Act and any relevant enforcement guidelines or regulations that may exist outside the scope of this particular legislative instrument. However, the regulatory framework is designed to ensure that the levies are collected accurately and fairly to support the purposes intended by the Act.