Honey Export Charge Collection Act 1973

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Honey Export Charge Collection

Act 1973

 

No. 184 of 1973

 

 

AN ACT

To make provision for and in relation to the Collection of the Charge imposed by the Honey Export Charge Act 1973.

 

[Assented to 14 December 1973]

 

BE IT ENACTED by the Queen, the Senate and the House of Representatives of Australia, as follows:—

Short title.

1. This Act may be cited as the Honey Export Charge Collection Act 1973.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.

Definitions.

3. In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears-

“authorized person” means a person appointed by the Minister, in writing, to be an authorized person for the purposes of this Act;

“charge” means the charge imposed by the Honey Export Charge Act 1973;

“honey” means honey that is produced in Australia;

“month” means a month of the year.


Due date for payment.

4. The amount of the charge on honey exported from Australia is due for payment upon the expiration of 28 days after the last day of the month in which the honey is exported.

Recovery of charge.

5. The following amounts may be recovered by Australia as debts due to Australia:—

(a) an amount of charge that is due for payment; and

(b) an amount payable by way of penalty under section 6.

Penalty for non-payment.

6. (1) Where the liability of a person to pay any charge is not discharged on or before the date on which the charge is due for payment, there is payable by that person to Australia by way of penalty, in addition that charge, an amount calculated at the rate of 10 per centum per annum upon that charge or upon that part of that charge from time to time remaining unpaid, to be computed from the time when that charge became due for payment.

(2) The Minister or, subject to sub-section (3), an authorized person may, in a particular case, for a reason that the Minister or the authorized person, as the case may be, in his discretion, thinks sufficient, remit the whole or a part of an amount payable under this section.

(3) A remission granted under sub-section (2) by an authorized person shall not exceed $5.

Offences relating to returns, &c.

7. A person shall not—

(a) fail or neglect duly to furnish a return or information that he is required under the regulations to furnish; or

(b) furnish, in pursuance of the regulations, a return or information that is false or misleading in a material particular.

Penalty: $200.

Access to premises.

8. (1) An authorized person may, with the consent of the occupier of any premises, enter the premises for the purpose of exercising the functions of an authorized person under this section.

(2) Where an authorized person has reason to believe that there are on any premises books, documents or papers relating to the export of honey in respect of which charge is, or may be, payable, the authorized person may make application to a Justice of the Peace for a warrant authorizing the authorized person to enter the premises for the purpose of exercising the functions of an authorized person under this section.

(3) If, on an application under sub-section (2), the Justice of the Peace is satisfied, by information on oath or affirmation—

(a) that there is reasonable ground for believing that there are on the premises to which the application relates any books, documents or papers relating to the export of honey in respect of which charge is, or may be, payable; and


(b) that the issue of the warrant is reasonably required for the purposes of this Act,

the Justice of the Peace may grant a warrant authorizing the authorized person, with such assistance as he thinks necessary, to enter the premises, during such hours of the day or night as the warrant specifies or, if the warrant so specifies, at any time, if necessary by force, for the purpose of exercising the functions of an authorized person under this section.

(4) Where an authorized person has entered any premises in pursuance of sub-section (1) or in pursuance of a warrant granted under subsection (3), he may exercise the functions of an authorized person under this section.

(5) A person shall not, without reasonable excuse, obstruct or hinder an authorized person acting in pursuance of a warrant granted under sub-section (3) or in pursuance of sub-section (4).

Penalty: $200.

(6) The functions of an authorized person under this section are to search for, inspect, take extracts from, and make copies of, any books, documents or papers relating to the export of honey in respect of which charge is, or may be, payable.

Regulations.

9. The Governor-General may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing all matters required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed, or necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out giving effect to this Act or for facilitating the collection or recovery any debt due to Australia under this Act and, in particular—

(a) providing for the manner of payment of charge and other moneys payable to Australia under this Act;

(b) requiring persons to keep records relating to the export of honey;

(c) requiring exporters to furnish returns or information relating to the export of honey to such persons as are prescribed;

(d) prescribing the form of warrant for the purpose of section 8; and

(e) prescribing penalties, not exceeding a fine of $200, for offences against the regulations.

 

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Overview

The Honey Export Charge Collection Act 1973 was enacted to facilitate the collection of a charge imposed by the Honey Export Charge Act 1973 on the export of honey from Australia. This Act was introduced by the Commonwealth Parliament to ensure that the charge, which was likely implemented to support certain economic or policy objectives related to the honey industry, is effectively collected. The Act sets out the processes for determining when the charge is due, how it can be recovered, and the penalties for non-payment or non-compliance with the regulations. It also grants authorised persons the authority to access and inspect premises and documents related to honey exports to ensure compliance with the charge. The overarching policy objective is to maintain the integrity and efficiency of the charge collection process.

Scope and Application

The Honey Export Charge Collection Act 1973 applies to any person or entity involved in the export of honey produced in Australia. This includes honey exporters who are required to pay the charge imposed under the Honey Export Charge Act 1973, which this Act facilitates. The Act applies nationally across Australia, as it is a Commonwealth Act. It governs the collection of the specified charge from honey exporters and allows for the recovery of this charge, including penalties for non-payment. The Act also provides mechanisms for authorised persons to enter premises to inspect records and documents related to honey exports. Regulations made under the Act may further define specific requirements and procedures, but these must not contradict the provisions of the primary Act. There are no exclusions or exemptions specified in the Act itself, although the detailed operation and enforcement might be subject to additional guidelines or conditions set out in the regulations.

Key Provisions

The Honey Export Charge Collection Act 1973 (sections 1-9) primarily deals with the collection of charges imposed on the export of honey produced in Australia, as outlined in the Honey Export Charge Act 1973. Section 4 specifies that the charge on honey exported from Australia is due for payment 28 days after the last day of the month in which the honey is exported. Section 5 allows for the recovery of amounts due, including penalties for non-payment. Section 7 outlines offences relating to the furnishing of returns and information, including the penalty of $200 for failing to provide required information or providing false or misleading information. Section 8 grants authorized persons the right to access premises to inspect documents and records relating to the export of honey, with the potential to obtain a warrant if necessary. The Act imposes several obligations on parties involved in the export of honey. Section 5 requires exporters to pay the charge on honey exported from Australia within the specified timeframe. Section 7 mandates that exporters furnish accurate and complete returns and information as required by regulations, and failure to do so can result in penalties. Section 8 outlines the rights of authorized persons to access and inspect relevant premises and documents, subject to consent or a warrant, to ensure compliance with the Act. Exporters are also required to keep records relating to the export of honey, as prescribed by regulations made under section 9. Breaches of the Act can result in both civil and criminal consequences. Section 6 imposes a penalty of 10 per centum per annum on any charge that remains unpaid beyond the due date, with the option for the Minister or an authorized person to remit the penalty in certain circumstances. Section 7 imposes a penalty of $200 for failing to furnish required returns or information, or for furnishing false or misleading information. Section 8 imposes a penalty of $200 for obstructing or hindering an authorized person acting in pursuance of a warrant or consent. Regulations made under section 9 may also prescribe penalties for offences against the regulations, with a maximum penalty of $200.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Taxation Law
Instrument
Act
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Offence Provisions
Penalty for non-payment

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.