Biosecurity Imports Levy - consultation for 1 July 2019 implementation

Monday, January 7, 2019

As members will recall, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) representatives participated in the Biosecurity Imports Levy Industry Workshop in Canberra on 28 November 2018 - summary available HERE 
 
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources was due to commence drafting of legislation with consultation on the exposure draft to take place in December 2018 and January 2019.

FTA objected to such a timeline until additional consultation is undertaken.

We are pleased to advise that the department has met this request and also provided the following observations following the last workshop:

  • the need for transparent reporting of the levy revenue raised, including relative to new expenditure for biosecurity measures

  • the need for alignment between the levy scope and structure with biosecurity risk, especially in the context of bulk cargo, while achieving an appropriate balance between risk and simplicity to administer and implement

  • the need for further discussion on the point at which to impose the liability to pay the levy

  • the application of the levy to specific scenarios, including:

    • restows and transhipment, due to their low volume and the practical challenge for reporting, and

    • vessels arriving from offshore facilities, including determining the point at which the levy is triggered

  • the implications of the proposed expansion of the levy scope to include commercial vessels for different sectors, and

  • the impact of the levy relative to existing border fees and charges.


FTA will again participate in this weeks' scheduled meetings in Canberra on 8 January 2019 and Sydney on 10 January 2019.

The department has advised that they will not be proposing a specific new possible model for implementation of the levy. Participants will be asked to highlight issues and priorities for different industry groups and consider the range of possible options.

We understand that discussion will be focused around four key topics:

  1. imposition point – determining who will be liable to pay the levy

  2. levy base and rate – to what and at what rate the levy should apply

  3. reporting – efficient and effective mechanisms

  4. payment – efficient and effective mechanisms.


We again encourage members to review the following departmental documentation 1) 28 November 2018 presentation; 2) questions and answers and 3) background document - please click HERE (MEMBER LOGIN REQUIRED)

 

Please provide feedback to pzalai@FTAlliance.com.au for incorporation into discussions at this weeks' forums and in the FTA supplementary submission.

Paul Zalai - FTA / APSA