Determination of the State/Territory Fisheries Gross Value of Production (GVP) for 2023–24

Overview

The Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989, enacted by the Australian Parliament, was introduced to address the need for coordinated research, development, and extension activities in the primary industries sector. This Act seeks to enhance the productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness of Australia's primary industries, including fisheries. The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Regulations 1991 further support these objectives by providing a framework for the management of research and development funds within the fisheries sector. Under the authority granted by these legislative instruments, Sarah-Jane McCormack, First Assistant Secretary, determined the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for state and territory fisheries for the financial year 2023–24. This determination, detailed in the Schedule, reflects the GVP for goods produced by the fishing industry managed by or on behalf of each state or territory, excluding certain sectors as noted. This exercise ensures that the financial contributions and economic activities within the fisheries sector are accurately quantified and can be used for policy and funding decisions.

Scope and Application

The Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989, along with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Regulations 1991, sets out the framework for determining the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for fisheries across various Australian states and territories. This legislation applies to the fisheries industry, focusing on the financial aspects of the produce generated by fishing activities managed by state or territory authorities, or on their behalf. The determination of the GVP for the financial year 2023–24 is mandated by subsection 30A(4) of the Act and Regulation 4E of the Regulations, and it encompasses the economic value of goods produced by fisheries that are under state or territory management, excluding certain sectors and input values. Notably, the GVP determination does not include input from the Commonwealth-managed southern bluefin tuna fishery in South Australia, and the respective farmed prawn sectors in New South Wales and Queensland are excluded from their GVP figures but included in the Commonwealth Fisheries GVP. This determination is crucial for allocating research and development funding and support within the fisheries sector, ensuring that the financial data accurately reflects the state or territory's managed fisheries output.

Key Provisions

The Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989 (Cth), together with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Regulations 1991, establish a framework for determining the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for the fishing industry in various states and territories of Australia. Section 30A(4) of the Act, and Regulation 4E of the Regulations, allow for the annual determination of the GVP for the fishing industry by an authorised officer, which in this case is Sarah-Jane McCormack, the First Assistant Secretary. This determination is crucial for the allocation of research and development funds and for assessing the economic contribution of the fishing industry in each state and territory. The operative sections of the Act and Regulations require that the GVP for the fishing industry be determined annually and that this determination be made by an authorised officer, as specified in the delegation instrument approved by the Minister. This process involves calculating the GVP for goods that are the produce of the fishing industry managed by or on behalf of each state or territory, excluding certain specific inputs where noted. For the 2023–24 financial year, the GVP figures for each state and territory have been determined and are detailed in the accompanying Schedule, which lists the respective GVP amounts in thousands of dollars. The obligations imposed by the Act and Regulations on the relevant parties include the accurate calculation and reporting of the GVP for the fishing industry. The authorised officer must ensure that the GVP figures are precise and reflect the correct economic output of the fishing industry in each jurisdiction, taking into account any exclusions or specific considerations as outlined in the Schedule. Additionally, the officer must ensure that the determination is made in accordance with the legislative framework and that it adheres to the requirements set out in the delegation instrument. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Act and Regulations can result in legal consequences. Although the specific offences, penalties, and consequences are not detailed in the text provided, breaches of legislative requirements in a governmental or administrative context typically attract administrative penalties, fines, or other corrective measures. The severity of these consequences would depend on the nature and extent of the breach, and could potentially include civil or criminal liability, depending on the specific provisions of the Act and Regulations.