Live-stock Slaughter Levy Amendment Act 1987

Overview

The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Amendment Act 1987 (No. 157 of 1987) was enacted to address the need for updating the rates of the levy imposed on the slaughter of various types of livestock, as originally established by the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964. This Act was assented to on 26 December 1987 and was enacted by the Queen, in and by the advice of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. The policy objective behind this amendment was to ensure that the levy rates reflect the current economic circumstances and the cost of administering the levy, thereby maintaining the financial sustainability of the livestock slaughter levy system. The Act amended specific sections of the Principal Act to increase the levy rates for cattle, sheep, lambs, buffaloes, goats, calves, and bobby calves, reflecting a significant update from the original rates.

Scope and Application

The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Amendment Act 1987 applies to the Commonwealth of Australia and modifies the rates of levy on the slaughter of various types of livestock as prescribed in the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964. Specifically, it amends the rates for cattle, sheep, lambs, buffaloes, goats, calves, and bobby calves. The amended rates are set to increase, impacting entities such as abattoirs, livestock processors, and any businesses involved in the slaughter of these animals. The Act does not specify any exclusions or exemptions and applies uniformly across the Commonwealth. While the Act itself does not extend its application through subordinate instruments, the amended rates could be subject to further regulation or administrative adjustments through related administrative measures or industry guidelines established by relevant authorities.

Key Provisions

The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Amendment Act 1987 primarily serves to amend the rates set out in the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964, concerning the levy imposed on the slaughter of various types of livestock. Under section 3 of the Amendment Act, the levy on cattle slaughter is increased from $6.00 to $18.00 per head. Similarly, section 4 revises the levy on sheep slaughter from 60 cents to $1.50 per head, and section 5 does the same for lambs, setting the levy at $1.50 per head. The levy on buffaloes, as amended by section 6, also increases from $6.00 to $18.00 per head. Goats, under section 7, see their levy rate change from 60 cents to $1.00 per head, while calves, as amended by section 8, have their levy increased from $2.10 to $6.30 per head. Lastly, section 9 adjusts the levy for bobby calves from 60 cents to $1.80 per head. The Amendment Act imposes certain obligations on the parties involved in the livestock slaughter industry. It requires the levy to be paid by the person responsible for the slaughter of the livestock, which typically means the meat processor or the individual undertaking the slaughter. The Act ensures that these new rates are adhered to for all livestock slaughtered from the date of its operation, as specified in section 2. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act can result in significant legal consequences. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the text provided, but generally, breaches of such legislative requirements can lead to fines or other penalties as prescribed under related laws or administrative regulations. The exact nature and severity of these penalties would be further defined in the Principal Act or in relevant subordinate legislation.