Live-stock Slaughter Levy Amendment (AAHC) Act 1996

Overview

The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Amendment (AAHC) Act 1996 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for changes in the way levies collected from livestock slaughter are allocated. This Act amends the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 by introducing new provisions for the allocation of funds collected through the levy to the Australian Animal Health Council (AAHC). Specifically, the Act provides for a levy of 0.33 cents, or another amount not exceeding 2 cents as prescribed by regulations, to be paid to the AAHC for each head of sheep and lambs slaughtered after the Act's commencement. Furthermore, the Act modifies the regulatory framework to require the Governor-General to consider recommendations from the Meat Industry Council when prescribing amounts for certain purposes, and allows for the Minister to designate another body to provide recommendations regarding the levy for the AAHC. The overarching policy objective is to ensure that the funds collected through the livestock slaughter levy are appropriately directed to support animal health initiatives.

Scope and Application

The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Amendment (AAHC) Act 1996 amends the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 to introduce a levy on the slaughter of livestock for the purpose of funding the Australian Animal Health Council (AAHC). The Act applies to the slaughter of sheep and lambs occurring on or after the first day of the month following a 30-day period from the commencement of the Act. The levy is set at 0.33 cents per head but can be adjusted by regulation to a maximum of 2 cents. The Minister has the authority to consider recommendations from the Meat Industry Council when determining the levy amount for purposes other than payments to the AAHC. Additionally, the Minister can designate another body to provide recommendations regarding the levy amount for payments to the AAHC through a Gazette notice. The Act’s provisions are confined to the Commonwealth of Australia and do not specify any exclusions or thresholds, though it allows for regulatory adjustments within the stipulated limits.

Key Provisions

The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Amendment (AAHC) Act 1996 introduces amendments to the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964, primarily concerning the imposition of a levy on the slaughter of sheep and lambs. According to section 1, this Act may be cited as the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Amendment (AAHC) Act 1996. Section 2 specifies that the Act commences on the day it receives Royal Assent. The amendments are detailed in Schedule 1. Under Schedule 1, section 1 amends the definition of 'AAHC' in the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964 to mean the Australian Animal Health Council Limited, A.C.N. 071-890-956. Section 2 further amends section 6A by adding a new subparagraph (d), which requires a levy of 0.33 cent per head of sheep, or another amount not exceeding 2 cents as prescribed by regulations, to be paid to the AAHC. Similarly, section 3 amends section 6B by adding a new subparagraph (d) with the same levy requirement for lambs. Section 4 modifies subsection 8(2) by stipulating that the Governor-General can only exercise the power to make regulations prescribing an amount for the purposes of section 6A (excluding paragraph (d)) and section 6B (excluding paragraph (d)) or section 6D, after considering recommendations made to the Minister by the Meat Industry Council. Section 5 introduces a new subsection (5) that mandates the Governor-General to take into account any recommendations made by a specified body, as declared by the Minister under subsection (6), when making regulations for the purposes of paragraph 6A(d) or 6B(d). Section 6 specifies that the new levy applies to the slaughter of each head of sheep and lambs from the first day of the month following a 30-day period after the commencement of this Act. In terms of obligations, the amendments impose a levy on the slaughter of sheep and lambs, to be paid to the AAHC. The Governor-General must consider recommendations from the Meat Industry Council before prescribing the amount for the levy, except for the levy specified in paragraph 6A(d) and 6B(d). Additionally, if a declaration is in force, the Governor-General must also consider recommendations from the specified body regarding the levy amount for paragraph 6A(d) or 6B(d). Failure to comply with these requirements could potentially lead to legal consequences, although specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided.