Click to edit Guidelines Sub-heading Noel Robson Director, - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

4 Levy Principles and Click to edit Guidelines Sub-heading Noel Robson – Director, Stakeholder, Legislation and Policy, Levies Revenue Service, DAFF Anna Pellew – Senior Advisor, Legislation and Policy, Levies Revenue Service, DAFF

Plant Biosecurity Levies Proposing a new levy and making changes

Outline - Levy Principles and Guidelines - Background - General principles and the levy process - Key Concepts - Biosecurity Levies - Treasury review - DAFF contact points - QUESTIONS

Levy Principles and Guidelines Background - Developed by DAFF to help industry bodies prepare a sound case for a levy or charge to be considered by industry members and the government - The LPGs have been reviewed and amended in the past to meet the changing needs of stakeholders - Current review to provide better guidance on the requirements for : - biosecurity levies and charges, and, - small changes to existing levies

Levy Principles and Guidelines General Principles - Industry initiates proposals for new levies/charges, or for changes to existing levies/charges - Proposals require Ministerial approval to be implemented - Some proposals require Prime Ministerial and Treasurer approval - The LPGs provide 13 Principles which must be met by a proposal - In addition there are a series of guidelines which assist in the interpretation of the principles

The Levy Process Industry develops a plan for the levy arrangements and use Industry finalises, documents Industry Industry and submits identifies a consults with levy proposal need for a stakeholders levy and carries out a ballot Ongoing consultation with DAFF and the intended levy recipient body

Levy Principles and Guidelines - Key concepts in the LPGs include; • Early and ongoing consultation with DAFF and the intended levy recipient body • Consultation with as many potential/existing levy payers and intermediaries as possible • Demonstrated agreement by a majority of potential/existing levy payers on the imposition of the levy • Levies/charges must be equitable and keep “red tape” to a minimum

Levy Principles and Guidelines Biosecurity Levies - A key aspect of the review of the LPGs was to provide clearer guidance about biosecurity levies - New provisions includes: - Principles must be met to establish an EPPR levy - The general requirement for market failure to be demonstrated is deemed to be met for EPPR levies - Consultation requirements to change EPPR levy rates - Requirements to change PHA membership and NRS levy rates

Treasury review - Details of all proposed new levies and changes to existing levies must now be provided to Treasury - DAFF has been developing a protocol to make the provision of the necessary information to Treasury as efficient as possible - The protocol is in its final review stages and has been trialed with several recent levy changes - It is anticipated that this new requirement will be integrated efficiently into the levy process

DAFF Contacts Levy Principles and Guidelines: DAFF Levies Stakeholders, Legislation and Policy Team Noel Robson – 02 6272 5591 Noel.Robson@daff.gov.au Anna Pellew – 02 6272 4498 Anna.Pellew@daff.gov.au We can also facilitate links to other parts of DAFF as needed The LPGs can be accessed online at: www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/levies/publications Biosecurity Levies: DAFF Biosecurity Partnerships Branch Leanne Herrick – 02 6272 3850 Leanne.Herrick@daff.gov.au Michelle Brotohusodo – 02 6272 4341 Michelle.Brotohusodo@daff.gov.au

QUESTIONS?