Live-stock Export Charge Amendment Act 1987

Overview

The Live-stock Export Charge Amendment Act 1987 was enacted to adjust the rates of charges levied on the export of various types of livestock under the Live-stock Export Charge Act 1977. The Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia, specifically the Queen in Parliament, and came into effect upon receiving Royal Assent on 26 December 1987. The primary objective of this legislation is to modify the financial contributions required from the livestock export industry, presumably to reflect changes in market conditions, operational costs, or to provide additional funding for relevant purposes. This amendment increases the charge rates for the export of cattle, buffaloes, and goats, while also standardising the charge for sheep and lambs to $1.50.

Scope and Application

The Live-stock Export Charge Amendment Act 1987 amends the Live-stock Export Charge Act 1977, which concerns the imposition of a charge on the export of livestock from Australia. This Act applies to all entities or persons involved in the export of livestock, including cattle, sheep, lambs, buffaloes, and goats. The Act affects the agricultural industry and those engaged in the live-stock export business by adjusting the rates of the export charge on specified types of livestock. The amendments increase the charge for the export of cattle and buffaloes from $6.00 to $18.00 per head, and for sheep and lambs from 60 cents to $1.50 per head, while the charge for goats is reduced from 60 cents to $1.00 per head. The amendments apply on a national level across Australia, as it is a Commonwealth Act. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but these may be defined in the Principal Act or any subordinate instruments issued under its authority.

Key Provisions

The Live-stock Export Charge Amendment Act 1987 amends the Live-stock Export Charge Act 1977 by altering the rates of charges imposed on the export of various livestock. Specifically, section 7 of the Principal Act is amended to increase the charge on the export of cattle from $6.00 to $18.00 per head, while section 8 and section 9 are amended to increase the charge on the export of sheep and lambs from 60 cents to $1.50 per head. Similarly, section 10 is amended to raise the charge on the export of buffaloes from $6.00 to $18.00 per head. Section 11 is amended to increase the charge on the export of goats from 60 cents to $1.00 per head. Under the amended Act, parties and entities engaged in the export of livestock are obligated to pay the revised charges as specified. These changes apply to all exports of cattle, sheep, lambs, buffaloes, and goats from Australia, and the updated rates must be reflected in all relevant transactions. It is imperative for exporters to ensure compliance with the new charge rates to avoid any legal repercussions. The Act does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with the amended charge rates. However, given the nature of the amendments and the context of the Principal Act, it is reasonable to infer that failure to comply with the new charge rates could result in legal action under the original Act. Typically, non-compliance with payment of prescribed charges under such legislation could be treated as an offence, potentially leading to fines or other civil penalties as determined by the relevant authorities or courts. While the specific maximum penalties are not outlined in the amendment Act itself, under the Principal Act, non-compliance with livestock export charges could result in penalties that are significant enough to deter non-compliance. These penalties may include financial penalties, and in severe cases, legal action could be pursued to enforce compliance.