Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 5)

Administered by Department of Agriculture

Legislation au F2002B00295 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 5) 2002 No. 288

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

STATUTORY RULES 2002 No. 288

Issued by the Authority of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999

Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999

Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991

Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 8)

Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 4)

Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 5)

Section 8 of the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 (the Levies Act), Section 8 of the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999 (the Charges Act) and Section 30 of the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991 (the Collection Act) provide that the GovernorGeneral may make regulations prescribing matters required or permitted by those Acts to be prescribed or necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to each Act.

The Australian honey industry currently pays a statutory levy and export charge on honey production of 0.75 cents per kilogram to the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) to enable research and development (R&D) to be undertaken on behalf of the industry. RIRDC is a statutory body which undertakes and co-ordinates R&D programs for a number of agricultural industries.

The purpose of the Regulations is to implement a proposal by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC), the peak body representing the honey industry in Australia, to increase the operative rates for honey production levy and charge to 0.8 cents per kilogram.

Subclauses 4(1)(b)and 4(2)(b) of Schedule 14 of the Levies Act and Clause 3 of Schedule 9 of the Charges Act provide that regulations may fix a rate of R&D levy and export charge on honey production, respectively.

Subclause 6(4) of Schedule 14 of the Levies Act and subclause 5(3) of Schedule 9 of the Charges Act provide that before the Governor-General makes regulations to respectively fix rates of R&D levy and export charge on honey production the Minister must take into consideration any relevant recommendations made to the Minister by RIRDC or AHBIC.

The Regulations give effect to the recommendations of RIRDC and AHBIC.

The amendments in the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Regulations 2002 are administrative in nature to reflect an AHBIC decision that there be a change from a monthly to a quarterly requirement for when levy and charge are due for payment and to make an amendment to when levy is due for payment for producers who lodge annual returns.

Details of the Regulations are set out in the Attachment.

The Office of Regulation Review (ORR) was consulted in the preparation of the Regulations. ORR have advised that it is not necessary to prepare a Regulation Impact Statement on this matter (ORR no 2002/3195).

The Regulations commence on 1 January 2003.

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ATTACHMENT

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (EXCISE) LEVIES AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 2002 (No. 8)

Regulation 1 provides for the name of the regulations to be the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment Regulations 2002 (No 8).

Regulation 2 provides for the commencement date to be 1 January 2003.

Regulation 3 provides that Schedule 1 amends the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Regulations 1999, (the Excise Levies Regulations).

Schedule 1        Amendment

Item 1 substitutes Schedule 14 of the Excise Levies Regulations.

Schedule 14        Honey

Clause 1 sets the operative R&D levy rate on the sale of honey at 0.8 cents per kilogram.

Clause 2 sets the operative R&D levy rate on honey used in the production of other goods at 0.8 cents per kilogram
       note indicates that there is a NRS excise levy on honey.

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (CUSTOMS) CHARGES AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 2002 (No. 4)

Regulation 1 provides for the name of the regulations to be the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 4).

Regulation 2 provides for the commencement date to be 1 January 2003.

Regulation 3 provides that Schedule 1 amends the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Regulations 2000, (the Customs Charges Regulations).

Schedule l        Amendment

Item 1 substitutes Schedule 9 in the Customs Charges Regulations.

Schedule 9        Honey

Clause 1 sets the operative rate of the R&D charge on honey of 0.8 cents per kilogram
       note indicates that there is a NRS customs levy on honey.

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES LEVIES AND CHARGES COLLECTION AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 2002 (No. 5)

Regulation 1 provides for the name of the regulations to be the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 5).

Regulation 2 provides for the commencement date to be 1 January 2003.

Regulation 3 provides that Schedule 1 amends the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Regulations 1991 (the Collection Regulations).

Schedule 1        Amendments

Item 1 substitutes clauses 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Schedule 21 of the Collection Regulations.

Clause 5 provides for a change from a monthly to a quarterly requirement for when levy and charge are due for payment
       note indicates penalty can be imposed.

Clause 6 specifies who must lodge a quarterly return
       note indicates offences may be applicable.

Clause 7 specifies when a quarterly return must be lodged
       note indicates offences may be applicable.

Clause 8 specifies when levy is due for payment for producers who lodge annual returns
       note indicates penalty can be imposed.

Item 2 amends what must be included in a return to reflect the change from monthly to quarterly returns; amends what must be included in a return to reflect the change from monthly to quarterly returns in relation to chargeable honey; and amends what must be included in a return to reflect the change from monthly to quarterly returns in relation to leviable honey.

 

Overview

The Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 5) were enacted to amend the rates and payment schedules for research and development (R&D) levies and export charges on honey production. These regulations were introduced by the Australian Government to address the need for increased funding for R&D within the honey industry, as recommended by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC). The Regulations were issued under the authority of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and they aim to implement the decision to increase the levy and export charge rates to 0.8 cents per kilogram, thereby enhancing the funding available for R&D activities in the sector. The changes also include modifying the payment schedule from monthly to quarterly, aligning with industry recommendations to improve administrative efficiency and compliance. These regulations reflect the policy objective of supporting the honey industry's growth and innovation by ensuring sufficient resources are available for R&D. By increasing the levy and adjusting the payment schedule, the Regulations seek to provide a stable financial foundation for ongoing research efforts, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and competitiveness of the Australian honey industry. The amendments are designed to be administrative in nature, facilitating smoother operations and better compliance within the industry.

Scope and Application

The Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 5) apply to entities and persons engaged in the production, sale, and export of honey in Australia. This includes beekeepers, honey processors, and exporters who are subject to the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999, the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999, and the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991. These regulations govern the collection and payment of research and development (R&D) levies and export charges on honey production, facilitating the funding of R&D activities for the honey industry through the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC). The amendments establish the operative rates for honey production levies and export charges at 0.8 cents per kilogram, effective from 1 January 2003, and modify the payment schedule from monthly to quarterly. This change applies nationally and is integral to streamlining the administrative burden on industry participants. The regulations do not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and the Office of Regulation Review determined that a Regulation Impact Statement was unnecessary. The application of these regulations is further detailed and enforced through subordinate instruments, ensuring compliance and effective implementation across the industry.

Key Provisions

The Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 5) primarily amend the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991, the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999, and the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999. Section 30 of the Collection Act and Sections 8 of the Levies Act and the Charges Act empower the Governor-General to make these regulations. The Regulations adjust the rate of the research and development (R&D) levy and export charge on honey production, as recommended by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC). The R&D levy and export charge are set at 0.8 cents per kilogram of honey, up from 0.75 cents. These levies and charges support R&D activities on behalf of the honey industry. The Regulations impose specific obligations on the parties they govern. Producers of honey are required to adjust their accounting and reporting systems to align with the new quarterly payment schedule, as specified in Clause 5 of Schedule 21 of the amended Collection Regulations. They must lodge quarterly returns as outlined in Clause 6 and pay the levies and charges by the due dates indicated in Clause 7. For producers who lodge annual returns, the due date for levy payment is set out in Clause 8. The Regulations also mandate that returns must include specific information reflecting the quarterly reporting requirement and the new levy rates. The Regulations include provisions for penalties and consequences for non-compliance. Producers who fail to lodge quarterly returns by the specified dates may face offences, as indicated in Clauses 6 and 7. Similarly, failure to pay the levies and charges by the due dates may result in penalties, as noted in Clauses 5 and 8. Although the specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the explanatory statement, non-compliance with these regulations could lead to legal repercussions under the relevant Acts. It is essential for honey producers to adhere to the new requirements to avoid potential civil or criminal consequences.

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