Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Customs Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009 contains amendments to the Customs Tariff Act 1995.

These amendments implement changes that are complementary to the amendments contained in the Excise Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009, which has just been also introduced into the House.

The amendments apply to the imported alcoholic beverages not exceeding 10 per cent by volume of alcohol that are classified under several subheadings in schedule 3 to the Customs Tariff, as well as items in schedules 5 and 6. These amendments increase the excise equivalent component of the customs duty applying to those subheadings and items from $39.36 to $66.67 per litre of the alcohol content on and from 27 April 2008.

The amendments will ensure that imported beverages are subject to the same excise equivalent customs duty as the excise duty imposed on those beverages when manufactured locally.

The ad valorem component of customs duty for these goods, where applicable, has not changed.

Full details of this measure are contained in the explanatory memorandum, and I commend the bill to the House.

Debate (on motion by Mr Billson) adjourned.

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