House: House of Representatives

Portfolio: Primary Industries and Energy

Commencement: While the Bill will commence on Royal Assent, the levy rate changes proposed by item 2 of Schedule 1 will apply from 1 July 1996.

Purpose

To fund the Australian Animal Health Council Limited at an initial operative rate of levy of 0.21 cents per laying chicken, or a prescribed amount up to a maximum of 0.33 cents per laying chicken.

Background

Refer to the Digest for the Australian Animal Health Council (Live- stock Industries) Funding Bill 1996.

Main Provisions

The term 'AAHC' is defined by item 1 of Schedule 1 of the Bill to mean the Australian Animal Health Council Limited, A.C.N. 071- 890- 956.

Section 7 of the Laying Chicken Levy Act 1988 (the Principal Act) provides:

The rate of levy is an amount in respect of each laying chicken equal to the sum of

(a) such amount, not exceeding 10 cents as is prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph; and

(b) such amount, not exceeding 0.25 cent, as is prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph.

Paragraph 7(b) is deleted by item 2 of Schedule 1 of the Bill and a new paragraph (b) inserted in the Principal Act which provides for the purpose of funding the AAHC an operative rate of levy of 0.21 cents per laying chicken or a prescribed rate up to a maximum of 0.33 cents per laying chicken.

New subsections 9(2A) and 9(3) are substituted into the Principal Act by item 3 of Schedule 1 of the Bill. Proposed subsection 9(2A) requires the Governor- General, before making regulations prescribing a rate of levy under paragraph 7(b) (see above), to take into consideration any recommendations about the rate made to the Minister by the Australian Egg Industry Association Inc or a specified body. Proposed subsection 9(2A) also provides that the rate set by regulation must not exceed the amount last recommended to the Minister by the Australian Egg Industry Association Inc or specified body.

Proposed subsection 9(3) accords the Minister power to declare a body, by notice in the Gazette, as a body to represent the Australian egg industry.

The levy rate changes proposed by item 2 of Schedule 1 will apply from 1 July 1996 ( item 5 of Schedule 1).

Ian Ireland Ph. 06 277 2438

Bills Digest Service

18 July 1996

Parliamentary Research Service

This Digest does not have any official legal status. Other sources should be consulted to determine the subsequent official status of the Bill.

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Published by the Department of the Parliamentary Library, 1996.