EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1983 No. 173
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 $11.00 per tonne.
The Dried Fruit (Export Inspection Charge) Regulations prescribe the operative rates of charge applicable to 2 classes of dried fruit inspected for export. The operative rates were first set to take effect from 1 July 1981 at a level to recover half the estimated cost of dried fruit inspection at that time. Dried fruit export inspection charges have not been increased since then.
The proposed charges have been determined taking into account cost increases since 1981 with a view to achieving 50% recovery of costs incurred during the remainder of 1983/84, in line with Government policy. The proposed charges are based on expected exports and inspection costs for the 1983/84 financial year and take into account changes in inspection procedures since 1981. If charges continued at the current level for the full year it is estimated that only 40% of dried fruit export inspection costs would be recouped.
The current charges and proposed new charges are as follows:
Class of Dried Fruit | Current Charge ($/tonne) | Proposed Charge ($/tonne) |
Dried tree fruit | 5.50 | 6.50 |
Dried vine fruit | 5.50 | 6.50 |
The proposed regulation replaces the Schedule to the Dried Fruit (Export Inspection Charge) Regulations to enable implementation of the increased export inspection charges. The increased charges are to come into effect from 1 October 1983.