EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1983 No. 190
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Primary Industry
WOOL INDUSTRY ACT 1972
WOOL INDUSTRY (SAMPLING SITES) REGULATIONS AMENDMENT
The Wool Industry Act 1972 provides for the Governor-General to make regulations for the purpose of imposing fees payable in respect of the registration and inspection of wool sampling sites.
The Wool Industry (Sampling Sites) Regulations provide for the registration of establishments testing wool and for monitoring their sampling and testing procedures to ensure that they maintain a high standard of performance. The Regulations prescribe the fees payable for registration and monitoring. These fees were introduced on 1 July 1979 at a level designed to recover half the estimated cost of inspection by the Australian Wool Measurement and Standards Authority. The fees have not been revised since then.
The proposed wool inspection fees have been determined with a view to achieving 50% recovery of costs incurred during the remainder of 1983/84, in line with Government policy. The proposed fee for monitoring is based on the number of International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO) presale test certificates expected to be issued during the 1983/84 financial year and the cost of inspection during that period. If the fee continued at the current level for the full year it is estimated that only 42% of inspection costs would be recouped.
The current fees and proposed new fees are as follows:
Fee | Current Fee | Proposed Fee |
Sampling site registration | $100 | $100 |
Sampling site inspection | 53 cents/IWTO certificate OR $100 whichever is the greater | 62 cents/IWTO certificate OR $100 whichever is the greater |
Overview
The Wool Industry Act 1972 was enacted to regulate the industry concerning the testing and sampling of wool, ensuring that high standards are maintained for the quality and measurement of wool. The Act empowers the Governor-General to establish regulations, including the imposition of fees, for the registration and inspection of wool sampling sites. The Wool Industry (Sampling Sites) Regulations Amendment 1983, issued by the Minister for Primary Industry, was introduced to adjust the fees related to the registration and monitoring of wool sampling sites. This adjustment was made to align with government policy, aiming to achieve a 50% recovery of the costs associated with inspections by the Australian Wool Measurement and Standards Authority for the financial year 1983/84. The policy objective behind these amendments is to ensure that the fees more accurately reflect the costs incurred and thus maintain financial sustainability for the regulatory body.
Scope and Application
The Wool Industry (Sampling Sites) Regulations Amendment, issued under the authority of the Minister for Primary Industry, pertains to the regulation of wool sampling sites in Australia. This amendment applies to all entities and individuals engaged in the testing and sampling of wool, ensuring that they adhere to the stipulated standards for maintaining high-quality performance in their operations. The scope of these regulations is national, extending across all states and territories within Australia, thereby ensuring uniformity in the quality control of wool testing and sampling procedures. While the amendment primarily targets the wool industry, it is specifically crafted to uphold the standards set forth by the International Wool Textile Organization. The regulations do not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions; however, they are enforced through subordinate instruments, which may provide further clarity on specific scenarios. The fees for registration and inspection have been adjusted to reflect a 50% recovery of the costs associated with monitoring and inspection, which is a critical aspect of maintaining the integrity of the wool industry in Australia.
Key Provisions
The main provisions of the Wool Industry (Sampling Sites) Regulations Amendment involve the introduction of new fees for the registration and inspection of wool sampling sites (reg. 3). These fees are designed to recover 50% of the costs incurred by the Australian Wool Measurement and Standards Authority during the 1983/84 financial year, aligning with government policy (reg. 3). The registration fee for sampling sites remains unchanged at $100 (reg. 3(1)(a)), while the inspection fee has been revised from 53 cents per International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO) certificate, or $100 whichever is the greater, to 62 cents per IWTO certificate, or $100 whichever is the greater (reg. 3(1)(b)). The fees are intended to ensure that the costs of inspecting and monitoring wool sampling sites are adequately covered.
The Act imposes obligations on entities responsible for the registration and inspection of wool sampling sites (reg. 3). These entities must ensure that the appropriate fees are paid for both the registration and the inspection services provided. The fees are structured to account for the number of IWTO presale test certificates issued and the associated inspection costs. The obligation lies with the operators of the sampling sites to comply with the new fee structure, ensuring that the necessary funds are provided to cover the inspection services.
Failure to comply with the new fee structure may result in various consequences, although the specific penalties or consequences are not detailed in the text provided. Generally, non-compliance with regulatory fees could potentially lead to legal or administrative repercussions, including fines or penalties. However, the exact nature and extent of these penalties are not specified within the excerpt. It is important for entities governed by these regulations to adhere to the new fee structure to avoid any potential legal issues.