Export Market Development Grants Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Export Market Development Grants Regulations 1980 were made under the Export Market Development Grants Act 1974 by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. These regulations were designed to amend the existing Export Market Development Grants Regulations by adding specific entities to the schedule, thereby extending eligibility for grants to support export market development activities. The problem these regulations address is the need to update the list of eligible entities for such grants, ensuring that new entities can benefit from the financial assistance aimed at fostering and enhancing Australian exports. The policy objective is to promote the development of export markets by providing grants to eligible entities, facilitating their participation in international markets and contributing to the growth of the Australian economy.

Scope and Application

The Export Market Development Grants Regulations, enacted under the Export Market Development Grants Act 1974, apply to entities involved in the export market and are intended to provide financial assistance to eligible organisations for the purpose of developing new or expanding existing export markets. These regulations are applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and pertain to specific entities or companies as outlined in the statutory rules. The amendments listed in the 1980 regulations, for example, add specific companies such as the Australian Hereford Society Limited and the Blackwood Grain Co-operative Limited to the list of eligible recipients for grants, effective from specified dates. These regulations facilitate the grant process by clearly defining who is eligible for financial assistance, thus ensuring that support is directed towards entities actively engaged in export activities. The application of these regulations can be further refined or extended through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional details or criteria for grant eligibility and administration.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these regulations, found in Schedule 1, involve amendments to the Export Market Development Grants Regulations. Specifically, they insert new items into the schedule (section 1(a)-(c)). These additions include Australian Hereford Society Limited, effective from 1 July 1976, Blackwood Grain Co-operative Limited, effective from 1 July 1977, and The Victorian Master Butchers Limited, also effective from 1 July 1977. These insertions signify the inclusion of these entities into the list of organisations eligible for Export Market Development Grants under the Export Market Development Grants Act 1974. These regulations impose specific obligations on the entities mentioned in the schedule. Once these entities are inserted into the schedule, they become eligible to apply for Export Market Development Grants as provided under the Act. This eligibility implies that they can now seek financial assistance aimed at developing their export markets, subject to the conditions and criteria set out in the Act and any relevant guidelines or policies issued by the relevant authorities. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences stated within these regulations themselves. However, any breaches of the Export Market Development Grants Act 1974 or related conditions for grant eligibility could result in legal consequences. Such breaches may lead to the revocation of grants, fines, or other administrative actions as provided under the Act. The maximum penalties for such breaches would be dictated by the specific provisions of the Act and any related legislation.