Restart Re-establishment Grant Scheme Amendment 2000 (No. 1)

Overview

The Restart Re-establishment Grant Scheme Amendment 2000 (No. 1) was enacted to address specific gaps in the Restart Re-establishment Grant Scheme 1997, which was originally established under the Farm Household Support Act 1992. This legislative amendment was introduced by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Warren Truss, to update the eligibility criteria for grants under the scheme. The primary policy objective of this amendment was to expand the types of payments that could qualify as eligible payments for the grant, thereby ensuring that more farmers and agricultural producers could benefit from the scheme. The amendments were made to better align the scheme with evolving agricultural programs and to provide more comprehensive support to those affected by structural adjustments in the agricultural sector. The legislative instrument was issued under the authority of the Minister and commenced upon gazettal.

Scope and Application

The Restart Re-establishment Grant Scheme Amendment 2000 (No. 1) amends the Restart Re-establishment Grant Scheme 1997, which was enacted under the Farm Household Support Act 1992. This amendment applies to entities involved in the pork and dairy industries, specifically those receiving grants or payments under the Pork Producer Exit Program and the Dairy Structural Adjustment Program Scheme 2000. These entities can include individual farmers, cooperatives, or other relevant bodies that have participated in these programs. The amendments extend the eligibility criteria for grants by incorporating new types of grants and payments into the scheme, thus broadening the scope of financial assistance available to affected entities. This legislative amendment ensures that the Restart Re-establishment Grant Scheme remains responsive to changes in industry requirements and supports farmers transitioning out of specific agricultural sectors. The geographic reach of this amendment is national, as it pertains to Commonwealth legislation. There are no specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds mentioned in the text, but the eligibility for grants under the amended scheme is contingent on participation in the specified programs. The application of the amendment is directly through the legislative instrument itself, without explicit reference to subordinate instruments extending or restricting its application.

Key Provisions

The Restart Re-establishment Grant Scheme Amendment 2000 (No. 1) introduces modifications to the Restart Re-establishment Grant Scheme 1997. Specifically, it amends subparagraph 3.2 (1) (g) (iii) by omitting the existing subparagraph and substituting it with a new provision that includes a grant under the Pork Producer Exit Program and a payment right under the Dairy Structural Adjustment Program Scheme 2000. Furthermore, it updates paragraph 3.2 (1) (h) by replacing the reference to subparagraph (g) (ii) or (iii) with subparagraph (g) (ii), (iii) or (iv). These changes, detailed in Schedule 1, aim to broaden the scope of eligible grants and payments under the Scheme. Under this amendment, the obligations on the parties involved include ensuring that any applications for grants or payments under the Restart Re-establishment Grant Scheme 1997 align with the new criteria outlined in the amended subparagraphs. This means that applicants must now demonstrate eligibility based on the inclusion of grants under the Pork Producer Exit Program and payment rights under the Dairy Structural Adjustment Program Scheme 2000. The amendment also requires that any references to subparagraph (g) in paragraph 3.2 (1) (h) now include subparagraphs (ii), (iii), and (iv), thereby expanding the types of support that can be claimed under the Scheme. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Restart Re-establishment Grant Scheme Amendment 2000 (No. 1) could lead to civil or criminal consequences, although the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument itself. Generally, under the Farm Household Support Act 1992, breaches of the Scheme could result in fines or other penalties as prescribed by the relevant laws. The precise penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any additional legislative provisions that apply.