EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1989 NO 316
Issued by the Authority of the Minister of State for Primary Industries and Energy
DRIED FRUITS EXPORT CHARGES ACT 1924
DRIED FRUITS EXPORT CHARGES REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
The Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1924 (the Act) provides for a charge to be imposed on all dried currants, dried sultanas and dried raisins exported from Australia.
Subsection 4(1) of the Act empowers the Governor-General to make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing matters required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.
The purpose of the charge is to provide funds for the operation of the Australian Dried Fruits Corporation (the Corporation). The maximum rate of charge set out by the Act is 3 cents per kilogram ($30 per tonne).
The Corporation has sought an increase in the operative rate of charge from $22 per tonne to $25 per tonne (2.2 to 2.5 cents per kilogram) in order to maintain its current level of promotion in real terms to ensure that an effective promotional program for Australian dried fruits is undertaken in overseas markets. The Australian Dried Fruits Association, the organisation representing dried fruit producers, has been consulted and supports the recommended export charge rate.
The Minister for Primary Industries and Energy has agreed to the recommendation from the Corporation for the increase. The Regulations accordingly set the operative rate of charge for dried fruits at 2.5 cents per kilogram ($25 per tonne) as from 1 January 1990.
These Regulations give effect to the increase in the operative rate of charge to $25 per tonne as from 1 January 1990.