EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1984 No. 268
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Primary Industry
DRIED FRUIT (EXPORT INSPECTION CHARGE) ACT 1981
DRIED FRUIT (EXPORT INSPECTION CHARGE)
REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
The Dried Fruit (Export Inspection Charge) Act 1981 provides for the Governor-General to make regulations for the purpose of imposing a charge on dried fruit inspected for export. The Act provides that regulations may prescribe different rates of charge for different classes of dried fruit provided they do not exceed the maximum rate of charge set in the Act. Currently, the maximum charge allowable is $11.00 per tonne.
The Dried Fruit (Export Inspection Charge) Regulations prescribe the operative rates of charge applicable to 2 classes of dried fruit inspected for export. The charges were introduced on 1 July. 1981 at rates designed to recoup half the estimated cost of dried fruit export inspection at that time.
The new charges have been prescribed with a view to maintaining 50% recovery of costs incurred during the remainder of 1984-85 in line with Government policy. The revised charges are based on expected exports and export inspection costs for the 1984-85 financial year and represent a 26% decrease in the rates of charge over those currently prevailing.
The new rates of charge follow a detailed review of export inspection practices for dried fruit. The review has resulted in a reduction in the amount of inspection provided to the industry and thus a significant reduction in costs. This reduction is reflected in the new charges.
The former and current charges are as follows:
Class of dried fruit | Former charge ($ per tonne) | Current charge ($ per tonne) |
|
|
|
Dried tree fruit | 6.50 | 4.80 |
Dried vine fruit | 6.50 | 4.80 |
The Regulations repealed and replaced the Schedule to the Dried Fruit (Export Inspection Charge) Regulations to impose the revised export inspection charges. The reduced charges came into effect on 1 October 1984.