Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection (Wheat) Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 1) 1999 No. 122
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Statutory Rules 1999 No. 122
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection (Wheat) Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 1)
The purpose of the regulations is to facilitate the transition to the new levy arrangements under the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 (the Excise Act).
Section 30 of the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991 (the Collection Act) provides the Governor-General with authority to make regulations.
Background/context
The Collection Act has, as its main purpose, measures which allow more cost effective and efficient levy collection techniques. The legislation provides a single Act to deal with all levy and export charge collection. The Collection Act allows for the collection of levies and charges through intermediaries on behalf of producers, and other organisations specifically aimed at reducing costs to industry.
The regulations are of a minor machinery and administrative nature and do not change the impact of the existing levy arrangements upon the wheat industry. The Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection (Wheat) Amendment Regulations 1999 facilitate the transition to the new levy arrangements under the Excise Act which commence on 1 July 1999. The amendments to the regulations are due to commence on 1 July 1999.
Overview
The Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection (Wheat) Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 1) were enacted to facilitate the transition to the new levy arrangements under the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999, with the aim of ensuring a more cost-effective and efficient collection process for levies and charges. These regulations, made under the authority of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, were introduced to align with the broader objectives of the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991, which seeks to streamline levy collection techniques and reduce costs to the industry. The amendments are of a minor, administrative nature and do not alter the fundamental impact of existing levy arrangements on the wheat industry. They were designed to commence on 1 July 1999, in line with the new levy arrangements established by the Excise Act.
Scope and Application
The Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection (Wheat) Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 1) apply to the wheat industry within Australia, as it facilitates the transition to the new levy arrangements under the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999. The regulations are designed to streamline the process of levy collection, making it more cost effective and efficient. They are authorised by section 30 of the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1991, which grants the Governor-General the power to make these regulations. These regulations are primarily of a minor administrative nature and do not alter the substantive impact of existing levy arrangements on the wheat industry. The regulations aim to ensure a smooth transition to the new levy system, which commences on 1 July 1999. The amendments to the regulations are set to also take effect on 1 July 1999. The scope of these regulations is limited to the wheat industry, and they are intended to support the overarching goals of the Collection Act by enabling levies and charges to be collected through intermediaries on behalf of producers, thus reducing industry costs.
Key Provisions
The Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection (Wheat) Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 1) primarily serve to adjust the current levy arrangements for wheat under the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 (section 30). These regulations are crafted to facilitate a smooth transition to the new levy system as it comes into effect on 1 July 1999. The amendments are necessary to align with the updated legislative framework, ensuring that the collection of levies and charges remains efficient and cost-effective. These regulations, being of a minor machinery and administrative nature, do not alter the fundamental impact of the existing levy arrangements on the wheat industry but rather refine the mechanisms for their collection.
The regulations impose specific obligations on parties involved in the collection of wheat levies, ensuring that the processes are streamlined and aligned with the new legislative framework. Under the Collection Act, intermediaries are authorised to collect levies and charges on behalf of wheat producers, aiming to reduce the overall costs to the industry. The regulations detail the administrative procedures that intermediaries must follow to comply with the new requirements, including how to report and remit collected levies to the relevant authorities. Producers, in turn, are required to provide necessary information and cooperate with the intermediaries to facilitate the collection process.
Breach of these regulations can lead to various civil and criminal consequences. For example, failure to comply with the reporting and remittance obligations could result in fines or other penalties as prescribed under the Excise Act. The specific penalties are not detailed in the explanatory statement, but they may include financial penalties, enforcement actions, or even legal proceedings against non-compliant parties. It is essential for all stakeholders to adhere to the provisions of these regulations to avoid potential legal ramifications and ensure the continued smooth operation of the wheat levy collection process.