Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Amendment Act 1984

Overview

The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Amendment Act 1984 (C2004A02925) was enacted by the Queen, with the assent of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, on 25 June 1984. The Act aims to amend the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Act 1964, providing necessary updates and clarifications to the existing legislative framework. This amendment addresses the need to modernise the definition of certain terms within the principal Act, ensuring that it remains relevant and accurately reflects current legislative intent. The Act came into operation on 1 July 1978, with Section 4 of the Principal Act being repealed and substituted to enhance clarity and inclusivity in its application.

Scope and Application

The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Amendment Act 1984 amends the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Act 1964 and applies to all persons and entities involved in the processing or sale of livestock in Australia. This includes abattoirs and meat processors operating within the Commonwealth, states, and territories. The Act's primary focus is on the collection of levies associated with the slaughter of livestock, and it ensures that the interpretation of the term 'State' now includes the Northern Territory. The Act extends its reach to cover the entire nation, including all jurisdictions within Australia. While the Act provides a comprehensive framework for levy collection, it does not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the text itself, but these may be defined through subordinate instruments or regulations that extend or restrict the application of the Act. The inclusion of the Northern Territory in the definition of 'State' under this amendment ensures that the regulatory scope is uniformly applied across all Australian jurisdictions.

Key Provisions

The Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Amendment Act 1984 amends the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Act 1964. The principal change introduced by this Act is the amendment of section 4 of the Principal Act, which defines key terms used within the legislation. Specifically, section 4 now includes a definition for ‘levy’, clarifying that it refers to the levy imposed by the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964, and expands the definition of ‘State’ to include the Northern Territory. These amendments ensure consistency and clarity in the interpretation of the Act. The Act imposes obligations on the entities it governs, primarily by providing a clear and consistent definition of the levy and the geographical scope of the Act. By defining ‘levy’ as the levy imposed by the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Act 1964, the Act ensures that all stakeholders have a common understanding of the levy being referred to. The inclusion of the Northern Territory within the definition of ‘State’ ensures that the provisions of the Act apply uniformly across all jurisdictions covered by the Principal Act. The Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach. However, any breach of the provisions of the Principal Act, which this amendment seeks to clarify, could result in penalties as outlined in the original Act. Given that the amendment itself does not introduce new penalties, any enforcement actions would still be governed by the existing framework of the Principal Act. This means that parties found in breach of the levy collection provisions could face the penalties stipulated in the Live-stock Slaughter Levy Collection Act 1964, which might include fines or other legal repercussions as determined by the courts.