Export Market Development Grants Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1980 No. 396, made under the Export Market Development Grants Act 1974, were enacted to amend the Export Market Development Grants Regulations, specifically updating the types of services eligible for grants. This legislative instrument, issued by the Governor-General acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, aims to enhance the scope of support available for export market development activities. The regulations now include services such as the maintenance of computer equipment, management consultancy services, and the provision of goods under lease or hire agreements. These amendments apply to claims relating to the grant year commencing on 1 July 1979 and each subsequent grant year, reflecting a policy objective to broaden the support mechanisms available to entities engaged in export activities.

Scope and Application

The Export Market Development Grants Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1980 No. 396, extend the scope of the Export Market Development Grants Act 1974 to include additional categories of services eligible for grants. Specifically, the regulations now encompass services such as the maintenance of computer equipment, management consultancy services aimed at improving managerial, operating, and economic performance, and services involving the provision of goods under lease or hire agreements. These amendments apply to claims relating to the grant year that commenced on 1 July 1979 and each subsequent grant year, thereby broadening the eligibility for export market development grants and supporting a wider range of activities that contribute to enhancing Australian businesses' competitiveness in international markets. This legislative change aims to foster greater engagement in export activities by incorporating a more comprehensive array of service-based transactions into the grant framework.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of these Regulations (C2004L04521) relate to the types of services that can be covered under the Export Market Development Grants scheme. Specifically, the Regulations, through Schedule 4, add new categories of eligible services that can receive grants. These include services by way of maintenance of computer equipment (Clause 5), management consultancy services (Clause 6), and services by way of the provision of goods under an agreement for the lease or hire of those goods (Clause 7). These additions are designed to support a broader range of export-related activities by providing financial assistance for services that facilitate or enhance export capabilities. Under these Regulations, parties or entities that are eligible for an Export Market Development Grant must comply with the specific criteria outlined in the amended Schedule 4. This includes ensuring that the services they seek to have funded fall within one of the newly defined categories. For example, if a business is providing management consultancy services to help another organisation improve its operational efficiency with a view to enhancing its export activities, this service would now be eligible for a grant. Similarly, if a company is offering to maintain computer equipment to support the export operations of another entity, this too could be covered. Failure to comply with the provisions of these Regulations could lead to penalties or other consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in this legislative instrument, breaches of similar legislative frameworks typically result in fines, legal action, or other enforcement measures. The severity of the penalties would depend on the nature and extent of the breach, and could include civil or criminal liability, depending on whether the breach is considered an offence under the applicable laws. It is essential for entities seeking or providing these services to ensure they adhere to the criteria set out in the amended Schedule 4 to avoid any potential repercussions.