Overview

The Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, was designed to address the need for effective research, development, and extension activities in the primary industries sector, which includes agriculture, horticulture, and fisheries. This legislation aimed to fill the gap in ensuring that the sector remains competitive, innovative, and sustainable by providing a framework for coordinated and strategic investment in research and development. The policy objective of the Act is to foster the efficient allocation of resources towards the improvement of productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability within Australia's primary industries. The Act allows the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources to determine the Gross Value of Production for various industries, as demonstrated by the 2016-17 figures for industries such as buffalo, chicken meat, deer, and honey, among others. These figures are essential for understanding the economic contribution of these industries and for guiding future policy decisions and investments.

Scope and Application

The Gross Value of Production for the Buffalo, Chicken Meat, Deer, Ratite, Goat Fibre, Macropods, Honey, Grains, Rice, Cotton, Pasture Seeds, Ginger Industries and Export Fodder for 2016-17 Act applies to the respective industries within the agricultural sector as specified in the legislation. The act pertains to the quantification of the gross value of production for these industries during the financial year 2016-17, as determined by the delegate of the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources under section 143A of the Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989. The geographic reach of the act is national, covering Australia as a whole. The act does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and it does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments. The determination of the gross value of production is based on the specified industries and the financial year mentioned, ensuring accurate representation of the economic contribution of these sectors.

Key Provisions

The Gross Value of Production for the specified industries for the 2016-17 period, as determined under the Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989, sets out the financial value of production for various sectors. These include Buffalo, Chicken Meat, Deer, Ratite, Goat Fibre, Macropods, Honey, Grains, Rice, Cotton, Pasture Seeds, Ginger, and Export Fodder (section 143A). The amounts provided are detailed under the authority of the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, with Buffalo production valued at $5,055,146, Chicken Meat at $2,737,868,119, and so forth, up to Export Fodder at $366,674,628. This determination is crucial for statistical, economic, and policy-making purposes within the agricultural sector. The Act imposes several obligations on parties involved in these industries. Producers, processors, and other stakeholders must ensure accurate reporting and compliance with the valuation methodologies set forth by the Minister. These reports are essential for determining subsidies, tariffs, and other financial instruments that may be tied to the Gross Value of Production. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to penalties or legal consequences, including fines or other sanctions under the relevant provisions of the Act. There are significant consequences for non-compliance with the requirements set out in this legislation. The Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989 includes provisions that allow for the imposition of penalties for inaccurate reporting or deliberate misreporting of the Gross Value of Production. Under section 32, the Minister has the authority to issue fines, and in severe cases, refer matters to law enforcement agencies for further action. The maximum penalties can vary, but they are intended to enforce compliance and ensure the integrity of the agricultural data collected. These penalties are meant to deter non-compliance and promote accurate reporting across the industries covered by this Act.