Ben Morton (Tangney, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet) Share this | Hansard source

The Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment (Dairy Cattle Export Charge) Bill 2020 amends the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999 to provide for export charges to be imposed on dairy cattle and set the rate of provision on a per head basis on the export of dairy cattle. The bill will enable the full funding of research and development and marketing activities specific to the dairy cattle export sector through the Dairy Cattle Export Program.

The dairy cattle export charge was requested by industry to replace the existing voluntary charge that is undercollected, and it will have no negative impacts on the dairy cattle export sector. Extensive stakeholder consultation on the statutory dairy cattle export charge was undertaken. The majority of registered Australian government licensed livestock exporters voted in support of the charge, and no objections were received during the six-week public objection period.

The bill will provide for sustainable funding to assist with ongoing improvements to animal health and welfare, including education and training of trading partners on animal welfare matters, and regulatory performance and market access for the dairy cattle export sector. If the bill is not passed, the Dairy Cattle Export Program will continue to be significantly underfunded in its administration of programs that enhance the productivity, sustainability and competitiveness of Australia's dairy cattle export sector, worth an estimated $200 million.

This bill will ensure Australian dairy cattle exporters are provided with funding for R&D and marketing that supports them in continuing to supply high-quality dairy cattle to international markets. I commend the bill to the House.

See this speech in context