Clare O'Neil (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

Custom Tariff Proposal (No. 2) 2022.

The printed proposal is now being circulated to honourable members. Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 2) 2022 proposes to amend the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to make concessional item 57 to schedule 4 permanent and to expand the range of goods to which the concession applies. From 1 February 2022, temporary concessional item 57 provided a 'free' rate of customs duty for imported goods such as personal protective equipment and certain types of disinfectants. The concession was implemented and then extended as needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The concession has been made permanent, providing a free rate of customs duty for these prescribed goods on a continuing basis where they are capable of limiting the transmission of pathogens and viruses to humans via droplets or airborne spread.

From 1 July 2022 the scope of the concessions has also been expanded to cover active ingredients and primary receptacles that are used for medicants, vaccines and similar goods to be used in the treatment, prevention or to limit the severity of COVID-19. The permanency and expanded scope of this concession will facilitate greater responsiveness to the medical needs of the Australian community and retain simplified import processes to support business.

Debate adjourned.