FTA advocacy for extended consultation - 1 July 2019 Biosecurity Imports Levy

Thursday, December 20, 2018

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 the next scheduled meetings in Canberra on 8 January 2019 and Sydney on 10 January 2019.

We again urge members to view the department's presentation (available HERE) and provide feedback to pzalai@FTAlliance.com.au by Friday 28 December 2018 for incorporation to the FTA supplementary submission.

Paul Zalai - FTA / APSA