Overview

The Australian Meat and Livestock Industry Act 1997, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, was introduced to address issues within the meat and livestock industry, providing a regulatory framework to ensure the industry's integrity, sustainability, and economic viability. This legislation serves to maintain standards, ensure market stability, and protect consumer interests, while also facilitating trade and supporting the industry's growth. In line with these objectives, the Act empowers the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources to undertake various functions, including the determination of the Gross Value of Production for the industry, as demonstrated in the gazette C2018G00557 from 20 June 2018. This gazette, issued under the authority of Joann Wilkie, a delegate of the Secretary of the Department, provides the Gross Value of Production for the red meat industry for the financial year 2017-18, amounting to $16,194,798,754. This figure is crucial for policy-making and economic analysis within the sector.

Scope and Application

The Gross Value of Production (GVP) determination for the red meat industry under the Australian Meat and Livestock Industry Act 1997 applies to the entire red meat sector, encompassing all entities involved in the production, processing, and distribution of red meat within Australia. This legislation mandates that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, through its designated delegates such as Joann Wilkie, is responsible for calculating and publishing the GVP annually. The determination of the GVP for the 2017-18 period, set at $16,194,798,754, reflects the financial output of the industry for that year. The Act's reach is comprehensive, applying nationally across all states and territories, ensuring a uniform approach to the valuation and reporting of the red meat industry's economic contribution. This determination is a statutory requirement under the Act, providing a benchmark for industry performance and aiding in policy formulation and economic analysis at both national and state levels.

Key Provisions

The determination of the Gross Value of Production (GVP) for the red meat industry for the financial year 2017-18 under the Australian Meat and Livestock Industry Act 1997 (section 66(3)) is a key provision of this legislation. This section authorises a delegate of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources to determine the GVP (section 70(2)). For the specified period, the GVP for the red meat industry has been set at $16,194,798,754, as stated in the Gazette C2018G00557. This determination is made to ensure accurate and consistent reporting and assessment of the industry’s economic contribution. The obligations and requirements imposed by this legislation on the parties involved are primarily administrative and reporting in nature. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources must ensure that the GVP is accurately calculated and reported in accordance with the statutory provisions. Industry stakeholders, such as meat processors and producers, must rely on this determined figure for compliance with any related reporting or regulatory requirements. The process requires transparency and adherence to the statutory framework to maintain the integrity of the industry’s financial metrics. The legislation does not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or specific consequences for breaches related to the determination of the GVP. However, general provisions within the Australian Meat and Livestock Industry Act 1997 may imply that non-compliance with statutory requirements could lead to regulatory action. This could include fines, legal challenges, or other administrative penalties as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities. The maximum penalties would be determined based on the nature and severity of the breach, in line with the broader legislative framework governing the meat industry.