Overview

The Dairy Produce Act 1986, enacted by the Australian Parliament, establishes a framework for the regulation of the dairy industry, including the determination of the gross value of production. In 2018, the Act was used to address the need for an accurate and official valuation of the dairy industry's output for the 2017-18 financial year, ensuring consistency and transparency in reporting and policy development. This legislative instrument, issued by David Littleproud, the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, sets the Gross Value of Production for the dairy industry at $4,105,653,136 for the specified period. The policy objective of this determination is to provide a clear and definitive figure for industry analysis, economic planning, and related regulatory purposes, reflecting the industry's financial contribution and aiding in the formulation of future agricultural policies.

Scope and Application

The Gross Value of Production for the Dairy Industry for 2017-18 Act, as determined by the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud, under the authority granted by the Dairy Produce Act 1986, establishes the Gross Value of Production for the dairy industry at $4,105,653,136 for the specified financial year. This legislation applies directly to the dairy industry, encompassing all entities involved in the production, processing, and distribution of dairy products within Australia. The geographic reach of this Act is national, applying to the entire Commonwealth and covering all states and territories. The Act does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds that would limit its application. The authority to extend or restrict the application of this Act may be exercised through subordinate instruments, as permitted by the overarching Dairy Produce Act 1986.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the legislation, C2018G00560, determine the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for the dairy industry for the year 2017-18 as outlined by David Littleproud, the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources (section 1). This determination is made under subsection 6(4) of the Dairy Produce Act 1986 and sets the GVP at $4,105,653,136 (section 2). This legislative instrument is a formal notification that serves to officially record the economic output of the dairy industry for the specified financial year. The obligations and requirements imposed by this legislation pertain primarily to the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Section 6(4) of the Dairy Produce Act 1986 mandates that the Minister must determine and declare the Gross Value of Production for the dairy industry annually. This declaration is a crucial administrative function that supports various economic analyses and policy decisions related to the dairy sector. The requirement to declare the GVP within the stipulated timeframe ensures that the economic data is accurate and timely, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions based on the latest available information. Breach of the obligations set out in this legislation does not directly impose specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences under the Dairy Produce Act 1986. However, failing to meet the statutory requirement to declare the GVP could lead to significant economic and administrative repercussions. These might include inaccuracies in economic reporting, potential impacts on industry funding and subsidies, and broader implications for policy-making and industry regulation. While the legislation itself does not specify maximum penalties, the consequences of non-compliance could be severe, affecting the integrity of economic data and the stability of the dairy industry.