Wheat Levy Act (No. 1) 1979

Overview

The Wheat Levy Act (No. 1) 1979 was enacted to address the need for a financial mechanism to support specific functions or services within the wheat industry. Passed by the Parliament of Australia, this Act imposes a levy on wheat delivered to the Australian Wheat Board. The levy is intended to generate revenue that can be used for designated purposes related to the wheat industry, such as research, marketing, or other industry-specific initiatives. The levy rate is set at $2.50 per tonne of wheat, and the Board is responsible for collecting this levy from farmers when they deliver their wheat. The policy objective of this Act is to ensure that the wheat industry has the necessary financial resources to support its operations and growth, thereby contributing to the overall stability and development of the sector.

Scope and Application

The Wheat Levy Act (No. 1) 1979 applies to wheat that is delivered to the Australian Wheat Board, imposing a levy on such wheat. The Act specifically defines the term "wheat" as wheat harvested during a season, with a season being defined as a 12-month period that starts on 1 October 1979 and continues for each of the next six succeeding 12-month periods. The levy applies to the Board, which is responsible for paying the levy to the Commonwealth. The Act stipulates that the levy is a debt due by the Board and becomes payable on 31 March following the close of the season during which the wheat was delivered. The Board is authorised to deduct the amount of the levy from the total amount payable for the wheat. This Act operates within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth and applies to all wheat delivered to the Board within the specified timeframes. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, nor does it indicate that its application is extended or restricted by subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Wheat Levy Act (No. 1) 1979 outlines the imposition of a levy on wheat delivered to the Australian Wheat Board (sections 1 to 7). The act specifies that a levy is imposed on wheat delivered to the Board, with a set rate of $2.50 per tonne (section 4). The levy is payable by the Board to the Commonwealth and becomes due and payable on 31 March following the close of the season during which the wheat was delivered (section 6). The Board is permitted to deduct the amount of the levy from the amount payable for the wheat (section 7). The Wheat Levy Act (No. 1) 1979 imposes specific obligations on the Australian Wheat Board. The Board is required to levy the specified amount of $2.50 per tonne on wheat delivered to it and to ensure that this levy is paid to the Commonwealth by the due date of 31 March following the close of the relevant season (sections 4, 6). Additionally, the Board has the authority to deduct the levy amount from the payment it makes for the wheat (section 7). Under the Wheat Levy Act (No. 1) 1979, failure to comply with the provisions of the Act may result in certain consequences. While the Act does not explicitly detail specific offences or penalties for non-compliance, the obligation to pay the levy and the Board's authority to deduct the levy suggest that non-compliance could lead to financial repercussions for the Board. Additionally, the Commonwealth may have legal recourse to recover unpaid levies, although the specific nature of such consequences is not outlined in the provided sections of the Act.