Pig Slaughter Levy Amendment Act 1986
No. 25 of 1986
An Act to amend the Pig Slaughter Levy Act 1971
[Assented to 13 May 1986]
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen, and the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:
Short title, &c.
1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Pig Slaughter Levy Amendment Act 1986.
(2) The Pig Slaughter Levy Act 19711 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.
Commencement
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Rate of the levy
3. Section 6 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from paragraph (1) (a) “20 cents” and substituting “50 cents”.
NOTE
1. No. 28, 1971, as amended. For previous amendments, see No. 45, 1975; No. 111, 1978; Nos. 51 and 61, 1981; No. 56, 1984; and No. 103, 1985.
[Minister’s second reading speech made in—
House of Representatives on 12 February 1986
Senate on 30 April 1986]
Overview
The Pig Slaughter Levy Amendment Act 1986 was enacted to address the need for an adjustment in the levy rate applicable to the slaughter of pigs, as outlined in the Pig Slaughter Levy Act 1971. This legislation was brought forward by the Commonwealth Parliament to amend the Principal Act by increasing the rate of the levy from 20 cents to 50 cents per pig slaughtered. The Act received Royal Assent on 13 May 1986 and came into operation on the same day. The policy objective behind this amendment was to provide a necessary financial adjustment to support specific programs or initiatives related to pig slaughter within Australia.
Scope and Application
The Pig Slaughter Levy Amendment Act 1986 amends the Pig Slaughter Levy Act 1971 by altering the rate of the levy applied to pig slaughter. The Act applies to any person or entity involved in the pig slaughter industry within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. The amendment specifically increases the levy rate from 20 cents to 50 cents per pig slaughtered, thereby impacting the financial obligations of those within the scope of the Principal Act. The amendment is effective immediately upon receiving Royal Assent. The Act does not specify exclusions or exemptions, but its application may be further defined through subordinate legislation or regulations issued under the authority of the Principal Act.
Key Provisions
The Pig Slaughter Levy Amendment Act 1986 amends the Pig Slaughter Levy Act 1971 by increasing the rate of the levy on pigs slaughtered at registered establishments from 20 cents to 50 cents per pig (section 3). This amendment is effective from the date of Royal Assent, which is the day the Act receives formal approval from the monarch or their representative. The amended Act updates the financial burden imposed on pig producers to reflect changes in economic conditions or other relevant factors deemed necessary by the legislature.
The Act imposes obligations on entities involved in the pig slaughtering industry. Registered establishments, which are defined under the Principal Act, must now collect and remit an increased levy of 50 cents per pig to the relevant authority. This requirement is crucial for ensuring the financial sustainability of the pig industry's regulatory framework and related services. Furthermore, it mandates that these entities maintain accurate records of pig slaughters and associated levies for a specified period, as stipulated under the Principal Act, to facilitate compliance and auditing processes.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act may result in civil or criminal penalties. For instance, an entity that fails to collect and remit the correct levy amount could face fines or other financial penalties as prescribed under the Principal Act. Additionally, persistent non-compliance or deliberate evasion of the levy obligations may lead to more severe consequences, including potential prosecution and criminal penalties. The exact penalties are not specified in this Act but are detailed in the Principal Act, where they may include fines up to a certain amount and, in more serious cases, imprisonment.