Export Expansion Grants Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Export Expansion Grants Regulations 1981, amended by Statutory Rules 1981 No. 1371, were enacted under the authority of the Export Expansion Grants Act 1978 by the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislative instrument addresses the need to update the Export Expansion Grants Regulations to include new items eligible for grants, specifically gold coins, thereby expanding the scope of the grants to encompass additional exportable commodities. The policy objective of these regulations is to support and encourage Australian exporters by providing financial assistance through grants, which in turn aids in the growth and diversification of Australia's export markets. The regulations were made by the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. These amendments apply to claims relating to the grant year commencing on 1 July 1980 and each subsequent grant year.

Scope and Application

The Export Expansion Grants Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1981 No. 1371, apply to entities claiming export expansion grants in relation to the grant year that commenced on 1 July 1980 and subsequent years. This legislation, under the Export Expansion Grants Act 1978, primarily targets businesses involved in the export industry, specifically those seeking financial assistance to expand their export activities. The amendments introduced by these Regulations include the addition of gold coins to the scope of eligible claims for grants, thereby extending the application to cover additional sectors within the export market. The jurisdictional reach of these Regulations is national, as they are issued under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia. While the Regulations do not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, they are subject to the broader provisions of the Export Expansion Grants Act 1978, which may impose certain limitations or conditions on eligibility and application. The application of these Regulations is further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, ensuring they remain adaptable to changes in economic conditions or policy objectives.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Export Expansion Grants Regulations (Amendment) 1981 introduce a specific provision related to gold coins. Specifically, section 1 amends Schedule 3 by adding a new item 1a which pertains to "Gold coins". This means that the regulations now explicitly cover claims relating to gold coins under the Export Expansion Grants scheme. Section 2 ensures that these amended regulations apply to claims made for the grant year that commenced on 1 July 1980 and each subsequent grant year. These amended regulations impose certain obligations and requirements on the entities that are subject to the Export Expansion Grants Act 1978. Firstly, any entity seeking to claim an export expansion grant for gold coins must ensure that their claims comply with the specific provisions introduced by this amendment. This includes adhering to any additional documentation or evidence requirements that may be stipulated in the regulations or associated guidelines. The entities must also be aware of the specific eligibility criteria and conditions that apply to gold coins under the amended regulations. Breach of the provisions in these regulations can lead to various consequences. While the specific offences, penalties, and civil or criminal consequences are not detailed in the text provided, it is reasonable to infer that any non-compliance with the Export Expansion Grants Regulations could result in penalties under the Export Expansion Grants Act 1978. These penalties may include fines, recovery of improperly granted amounts, or other administrative sanctions. The maximum penalties would be determined in accordance with the relevant sections of the principal Act and any other applicable laws. It is essential for entities to ensure strict adherence to the regulations to avoid any adverse consequences.