Rural Assistance Amendment Bill 2000

Explanatory note

This explanatory note relates to this Bill as introduced into Parliament.




Overview of Bill



The object of this Bill is to amend the Rural Assistance Act 1989 (the Act) so as:

(a) to clarify the object of the Act, and
(b) to clarify and further define the functions of the Rural Assistance Authority Board (the Board), and
(c) to require the Rural Assistance Authority (the Authority) to provide certain information to the Board on request, and
(d) to require the Minister for Agriculture every 5 years to review the requirements of the Act relating to the composition of the Board to ensure that the Board’s decisions continue to reflect community views on rural assistance and disaster relief issues, and
(e) to consolidate and clarify the provisions of the Act that relate to programs of assistance, and
(f) to repeal the provisions of the Act relating to protection orders.


Outline of provisions


Clause 1 sets out the name (also called the short title) of the proposed Act.

Clause 2 provides for the commencement of the proposed Act on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.

Clause 3 is a formal provision giving effect to the amendments to the Rural Assistance Act 1989 set out in Schedule 1.

Schedule 1 [1] gives effect to paragraph (a) of the objects outlined above by inserting proposed section 2A (Object of Act) into the Act.

Schedule 1 [5] replaces section 10 (1) of the Act to give effect to paragraph (b) of the objects outlined above. Proposed section 10 (1) of the Act clarifies and expands the functions of the Board.

Schedule 1 [7] gives effect to paragraphs (c) and (d) of the objects outlined above by inserting proposed sections 12A and 12B into the Act.
Proposed section 12A provides that the Authority must on request give to the Board information relating to the implementation by the Authority of guidelines advised by the Board in respect of particular programs of assistance under the Act, the delivery of assistance by the Authority under programs implemented or administered under the Act, or the operation and management of the Authority.

Proposed section 12B requires the Minister administering the Act (currently the Minister for Agriculture) every 5 years to review the requirements of the Act relating to the composition of the Board to ensure that decisions of the Board continue to reflect community views on rural assistance and disaster relief issues.

Schedule 1 [11] repeals and replaces sections 18–20 of the Act to give effect to paragraph (e) of the objects outlined above.

Schedule 1 [15] repeals Division 4 of Part 3 of the Act relating to protection orders to give effect to paragraph (f) of the objects outlined above.

Schedule 1 [2]–[4], [6], [8]–[10] and [12]–[14] make consequential amendments.

Note: If this Bill is not modified, these Explanatory Notes would reflect the Bill as passed in the House. If the Bill has been amended by Committee, these Explanatory Notes may not necessarily reflect the Bill as passed.

 

---

[Index] [Search] [Download] [Bill] [Help]