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Primary Industries (Excise) Levies

Current status

This bill became law on Jul 9th, 2024.

Policy area

Budget, tax & economy

What does this bill do?

Australia can keep using regulationsThese are the detailed legal rules that the bill lets the government use to set, change or re-establish levies. to impose excise levies on primary industry products such as farm, fishery, forestry, fungus and algae products.

Why was it introduced?

More than 50 laws governing over 110 agricultural levies had become overly complex, duplicative and ineffective for current industry needs. This bill replaces that patchwork with a simpler framework that lets regulationsThese are the detailed legal rules that the bill lets the government use to set, change or re-establish levies. re-establish and expand excise levies, including for animal and plant health and nursery products.

Broader context

Australia’s agricultural levy systemThis is the long-running system that collects money from farming and related industries and uses it for industry-funded work such as research and biosecurity. had funded research, marketing, biosecurityOn this page, this means work that helps stop pests and diseases from spreading into or within Australian plants and animals. and residue testing for decades, but by 2023 it was spread across more than 50 laws covering over 110 levies, making it hard for industries and government to use and update. The bill responded by replacing that patchwork with a simpler excise-levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. framework that could re-establish levies in regulationsThese are the detailed legal rules that the bill lets the government use to set, change or re-establish levies. and extend them to animal and plant health and nursery inputs, before Parliament passed it in July 2024 and it became law days later.

Key criticism

The main criticism was that the new levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. framework could make it less clear to farmers and other levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. payers what they were being charged for, especially around the renamed biosecurityOn this page, this means work that helps stop pests and diseases from spreading into or within Australian plants and animals. levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. and where the money would go. These concerns came mainly from Coalition speakers who still backed the bill, so the criticism was limited and focused on transparency and drafting rather than opposition to the policy overall.

Who supported it?

Kristy Mcbain MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.

Introduced in House 18 Oct 2023
Passed House 15 Nov 2023
Passed Senate 01 July 2024
Became law 09 July 2024

Did it become law?

Yes

Became law 09 July 2024

Final passage

Passed without a counted vote

2 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.

Passage speed

265 days

From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step

Official record

View on APH

Parliament of Australia bill page

Meaning

What does this bill do?

  1. Australia can keep using regulationsThese are the detailed legal rules that the bill lets the government use to set, change or re-establish levies. to impose excise levies on primary industry products such as farm, fishery, forestry, fungus and algae products.

  2. Australia can also impose levies on goods used to feed, maintain or treat animals, plants, fungi or algae, which supports levies tied to animal and plant health.

  3. Australia can impose levies on goods used to produce nursery stock, covering items used to grow plants, trees and similar nursery products for sale or commercial production.

  4. Levy money can be used for plant, animal, fungus and algae health work, including biosecurityOn this page, this means work that helps stop pests and diseases from spreading into or within Australian plants and animals. activities.

  5. Levy rates can vary between different kinds of products or goods, so industries can have different rates where needed.

Show source excerpts
  1. (a) impose levies in relation to animal products, plant products, fungus products or algal products that are produce of a primary industry; and
    Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 2024 final Act text
  2. (b) impose levies in relation to goods that are of a kind consumed by, or used in the maintenance or treatment of, animals, plants, fungi or algae; and
    Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 2024 final Act text
  3. (c) impose levies in relation to goods that are for use in the production or preparation of nursery products.
    Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 2024 final Act text
  4. (c) expenditure on activities, including biosecurity activities, relating to the promotion or maintenance of the health of plants, animals, fungi or algae;
    Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 2024 final Act text
  5. (1) Different rates of the same levy may be prescribed by the regulations for different kinds of products or goods.
    Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 2024 final Act text

Context

Broader context for this bill

Australia’s agricultural levy systemThis is the long-running system that collects money from farming and related industries and uses it for industry-funded work such as research and biosecurity. had funded research, marketing, biosecurityOn this page, this means work that helps stop pests and diseases from spreading into or within Australian plants and animals. and residue testing for decades, but by 2023 it was spread across more than 50 laws covering over 110 levies, making it hard for industries and government to use and update. The bill responded by replacing that patchwork with a simpler excise-levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. framework that could re-establish levies in regulationsThese are the detailed legal rules that the bill lets the government use to set, change or re-establish levies. and extend them to animal and plant health and nursery inputs, before Parliament passed it in July 2024 and it became law days later.

  1. 18 Oct 2023

    Government introduces a new excise levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. framework

    The bill was introduced as part of a package to streamline and modernise the levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. laws that underpin agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  2. 18 Oct 2023

    Second reading speech ties the bill to major farm-sector funding needs

    The minister said the sectors were expected to produce $86 billion in 2023-24, framing the levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. overhaul as important to industries with a large national economic role.

    Hansard ↗
  3. 15 Nov 2023

    Parliament says the levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. system has become too complex

    Speakers said the long-running agricultural levy systemThis is the long-running system that collects money from farming and related industries and uses it for industry-funded work such as research and biosecurity. now spanned more than 50 laws, over 110 levies and 18 recipient bodies, making reform necessary.

    Hansard ↗
  4. 15 Nov 2023

    House passes the bill

    The House agreed to the bill at third reading, advancing the overhaul after debate on simplifying the levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. system.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  5. 01 July 2024

    Parliament passes the bill

    Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary approval for the new levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. framework.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  6. 09 July 2024

    Royal AssentThis is the final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. makes the new levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. law operative

    Royal AssentThis is the final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. turned the bill into an Act, allowing the simplified framework to replace the older excise levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. patchwork.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗

Legislative route

How did it move through Parliament?

House Senate
Introduced 18 Oct 2023

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 18 Oct 2023

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 14 Nov 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 14 Nov 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Referred to Federation Chamber

Second reading debate 15 Nov 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

House second reading agreed 15 Nov 2023

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

Consideration in detail 15 Nov 2023

The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.

Consideration in detail debate

Returned from Federation Chamber 15 Nov 2023

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Reported from Federation Chamber

Consideration in detail 15 Nov 2023

The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.

Consideration in detail debate

House third reading agreed 15 Nov 2023

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Introduced 16 Nov 2023

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 16 Nov 2023

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Committee report (05/02/2024) review 16 Nov 2023

Referred to Committee (16/11/2023): Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Committee report (05/02/2024)

Referred to committee

APH bill page notes
Senate second reading agreed 01 July 2024

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

Senate third reading agreed 01 July 2024

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Passed both houses 01 July 2024

Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.

Finally passed both Houses

Assent 09 July 2024

The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThis is the final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.

Key criticism

The main case against this bill

The main criticism was that the new levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. framework could make it less clear to farmers and other levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. payers what they were being charged for, especially around the renamed biosecurityOn this page, this means work that helps stop pests and diseases from spreading into or within Australian plants and animals. levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. and where the money would go. These concerns came mainly from Coalition speakers who still backed the bill, so the criticism was limited and focused on transparency and drafting rather than opposition to the policy overall.

No party represented in the debate opposed the bill, but some support came with calls for clearer transparency safeguards.

Risk of confusing levy payers

Coalition speakers argued the revised levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. framework, especially the renamed biosecurityOn this page, this means work that helps stop pests and diseases from spreading into or within Australian plants and animals. levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs., could confuse levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. payers about what they were paying for and make funding flows harder to follow.

Raised by David Littleproud and Sam Birrell Source ↗

Calls for stronger transparency safeguards

Supporters from the opposition said the bill should be improved with more explicit transparency measures so industries could better see how levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. decisions and biosecurityOn this page, this means work that helps stop pests and diseases from spreading into or within Australian plants and animals.-related spending were being handled.

Raised by Coalition speakers including David Littleproud and Sam Birrell Source ↗

Complaints about consultation and credit-claiming

A narrower criticism was that the government had not consulted as openly as it should have and was taking credit for levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. reform work begun under the previous government.

Raised by Michael McCormack Source ↗

Further sources

parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗ parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗

Votes

Recorded votes

How the bill itself passed

The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.

Passed

House passed the bill

House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

15 Nov 2023

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Passed

Senate passed the bill

Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

01 July 2024

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Amendments at a glance

Recorded amendment and procedural votes grouped by chamber. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.

House

Defeated

Broaden levy spending for biosecurity

Aye 58 No 80

Defeated 58 to 80. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Centre Alliance, and Katter's Australian Party. Opposition came from Labor and Greens. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

15 Nov 2023

This was a failed attempt to change the bill’s spending rules so more levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. revenue could be used for biosecurityOn this page, this means work that helps stop pests and diseases from spreading into or within Australian plants and animals. work. The House rejected the amendments and then agreed to the bill.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Liberal Party 38 / 0
Nationals 11 / 0
Independent 7 / 3
Centre Alliance 1 / 0
Katter's Australian Party 1 / 0
Labor 0 / 74
Greens 0 / 3

Senate

Defeated

Broaden levy spending for biosecurity

Aye 28 No 34

Defeated 28 to 34. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and One Nation. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents.

01 July 2024

The amendment would have widened how agricultural levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. funds could be spent on biosecurityOn this page, this means work that helps stop pests and diseases from spreading into or within Australian plants and animals.-related work, but the Senate rejected it 28-34 and the bill continued unchanged.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Liberal Party 21 / 0
Nationals 5 / 0
One Nation 2 / 0
Labor 0 / 21
Greens 0 / 10
Independent 0 / 2
Jacqui Lambie Network 0 / 1

These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.

Parliamentary debate

Who spoke, and what they said

Start here — lead voices

Sponsor speech Supports

Kristy McBain

Australian Labor Party • MP 18 Oct 2023

McBain supports the bill, saying it will streamline and modernise the agricultural levies framework and help create a more effective and efficient system for agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead supporting voice Supports

David Littleproud

National Party • MP 14 Nov 2023

David Littleproud says the coalition will support the bill because it modernises and streamlines the agricultural levy systemThis is the long-running system that collects money from farming and related industries and uses it for industry-funded work such as research and biosecurity., but he wants detailed amendments to improve transparency.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Supports

Anthony Chisholm

Australian Labor Party • Senator 16 Nov 2023

Chisholm supports the bill as part of a wider overhaul of the agricultural levies framework, saying it was developed through years of consultation and will help create a more effective and efficient levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. system for agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Supports

Sam Birrell

National Party • MP 15 Nov 2023

Sam Birrell supports the bill because he says it streamlines and simplifies the levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. system and improves transparency for levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. payers.

Read in Hansard ↗

All speeches by bloc

Labor

4 speakers · 5 contributions · 4 support

  1. Anthony Chisholm ★ Chisholm supports the bill as part of a wider overhaul of the agricultural levies framework, saying it was developed through years of consultation and will help create a more effective and efficient levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. system for agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
    “This package of Bills is the result of extensive consultation over several years to ensure the new framework meets the needs of those who use and benefit from the agricultural levy system.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 16 Nov 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Meryl Swanson Swanson supports the bill, saying it modernises and simplifies the agricultural levy systemThis is the long-running system that collects money from farming and related industries and uses it for industry-funded work such as research and biosecurity. while keeping industry-led funding and government matching payments in place.
    “I think the nub of these changes, in terms of levies for agriculture, is that we are going to be condensing over 50 pieces of legislation—50!—down to five bills and subordinate legislation to create this new structure. These bills are going to provide a solid foundation for the ag levy system to grow and respond to opportunities and challenges in the future. Let's face it: nothing sums up our country and our ag system like opportunity and challenge. Our farmers face it every day. Through these levies and this bill, we are making it simpler and we are standing shoulder to shoulder with them. We are here for the challenges and we want to make sure they get every opportunity.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 15 Nov 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Shayne Neumann Neumann supports the bill, saying it will modernise and simplify the agricultural levies framework while keeping existing levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. rates and industry-led settings in place.
    “I rise to support the streamlining and modernising agricultural levies legislation—the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Bill 2023 and related bills. This deals with primary industries, excise levies, customs charges, services levies, the collection of these things, the disbursement and some transitional legislation as well.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 15 Nov 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Kristy McBain ★ 2 contributions McBain supports the bill, saying it will streamline and modernise the agricultural levies framework and help create a more effective and efficient system for agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Kristy McBain on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 18 Oct 2023

    McBain supports the bill, saying it will streamline and modernise the agricultural levies framework and help create a more effective and efficient system for agriculture, fisheries and forestry. She presents it as part of a wider reform package built on years of consultation.

    “The Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Bill 2023 is one of five bills that will streamline and modernise the agricultural levies legislative framework.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 15 Nov 2023

    McBain supports the bill and says it will modernise and simplify the agricultural levy systemThis is the long-running system that collects money from farming and related industries and uses it for industry-funded work such as research and biosecurity. without changing the key levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. settings. She argues it preserves a successful industry-government partnership while giving the framework more flexibility and consistency.

    “The Australian agricultural levy system is widely supported. The key features of the levy system that make it so successful will remain the same under the new legislative framework. Levy settings will generally continue to be industry initiated and led. Key settings for existing levies such as levy rates will not change as part of bringing in this new legislation. Passage of these bills without amendment will ensure the continuation of a successful industry-government partnership under a more effective and fit-for-purpose legal framework.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

Coalition

3 speakers · 3 support

  1. David Littleproud ★ David Littleproud says the coalition will support the bill because it modernises and streamlines the agricultural levy systemThis is the long-running system that collects money from farming and related industries and uses it for industry-funded work such as research and biosecurity., but he wants detailed amendments to improve transparency.
    “Having done so, I can advise that, while the federal coalition will be supporting the passage of these bills through the House, there are some areas within this legislation package that need to be scrutinised. That's why I'm giving notice that we will be moving detailed amendments—amendments that we believe are necessary to ensure the transparency of Australia's levy framework.”

    National Party • MP • 14 Nov 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Sam Birrell ★ Sam Birrell supports the bill because he says it streamlines and simplifies the levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. system and improves transparency for levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. payers.
    “Before the suspension I was able to give my own examples of drip irrigation, fertigation and moth-mating disruption, which was good to talk about here; I enjoyed that. But, in summary, these are necessary legislative changes, so that there is transparency and ease of use and so that we maximise the amount of levy money for this important research and development.”

    National Party • MP • 15 Nov 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Michael McCormack Michael McCormack says the opposition supports the bill because it will streamline the levyOn this page, this means a charge set on primary industry products or related goods so money can be raised for industry programs. system and cut paperwork for farmers, but he argues the government is taking credit for work that started under the coalition and should have consulted more openly.
    “If this is going to ultimately help our farmers, I applaud it. If this is going to mean that they have to do less paperwork, I'm all for it—and so are the opposition.”

    National Party • MP • 15 Nov 2023

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Record

Full record

Full chat