FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK (SUPPLEMENTARY POWERS) AMENDMENT (AGRICULTURE AND WATER RESOURCES MEASURES NO. 2) REGULATIONS 2019 (F2019L00345) EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Commonwealth Numbered Regulations - Explanatory Statements

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FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK (SUPPLEMENTARY POWERS) AMENDMENT (AGRICULTURE AND WATER RESOURCES MEASURES NO. 2) REGULATIONS 2019 (F2019L00345)

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Finance and the Public Service

 

Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997

 

Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment

(Agriculture and Water Resources Measures No. 2) Regulations 2019

 

The Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997 (the FF(SP) Act) confers on the Commonwealth, in certain circumstances, powers to make arrangements under which money can be spent; or to make grants of financial assistance; and to form, or otherwise be involved in, companies. The arrangements, grants, programs and companies (or classes of arrangements or grants in relation to which the powers are conferred) are specified in the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Regulations 1997 (the Principal Regulations). The FF(SP) Act applies to Ministers and the accountable authorities of non-corporate Commonwealth entities, as defined under section 12 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

 

Section 65 of the FF(SP) Act provides that the Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters required or permitted by the Act to be prescribed, or necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to the Act.

 

Section 32B of the FF(SP) Act authorises the Commonwealth to make, vary and administer arrangements and grants specified in the Principal Regulations. Section 32B also authorises the Commonwealth to make, vary and administer arrangements for the purposes of programs specified in the Principal Regulations. Schedule 1AA and Schedule 1AB to the Principal Regulations specify the arrangements, grants and programs.

 

The Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture and Water Resources Measures No. 2) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) amend Schedule 1AB to the Principal Regulations to establish legislative authority for government spending on two activities that will be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

 

Funding will be provided for:

*         a grant to Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Limited to expand the delivery of the Fair Farms Initiative to implement a training and certification program that aims to foster fair employment practices in the Australian horticulture industry (with funding of $1.5 million over four years from 2018-19)

*         the Strengthening Australia's Fruit Fly System Research Program to fund research, development and extension activities to support a nationally coordinated approach to managing fruit fly in Australia (with funding of $6.7 million over four years from 2018-19).

 

Details of the Regulations are set out at Attachment A. A Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights is at Attachment B.

 

The Regulations are a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2003. The Regulations commence on the day after the instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.

 

Consultation

In accordance with section 17 of the Legislation Act 2003, consultation has taken place with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

 

A regulation impact statement is not required as the Regulations only apply to non-corporate Commonwealth entities and do not adversely affect the private sector.

 

 

 


Details of the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture and Water Resources Measures No.2) Regulations 2019

 

Section 1 - Name

 

This section provides that the title of the Regulations is the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture and Water Resources Measures No. 2) Regulations 2019.

 

Section 2 - Commencement

 

This section provides that the Regulations commence on the day after the instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.

 

Section 3 - Authority

 

This section provides that the Regulations are made under the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997.

 

Section 4 - Schedules

 

This section provides that the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Regulations 1997 are amended as set out in the Schedule to the Regulations.

 

Schedule 1 - Amendments

 

Item 1 - In the appropriate position in Part 3 of Schedule 1AB (table)

 

Item 1 adds a new table item to Part 3 of Schedule 1AB to establish legislative authority for government spending on an activity that will be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department).

 

New table item 30 establishes legislative authority for the Government to provide a grant to Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Limited for the expansion of the delivery of the Fair Farms Initiative (the initiative).

 

Investigations by the Fair Work Ombudsman and independent researchers have revealed businesses in the horticultural production sector have unacceptably high levels of non-compliance with Australian workplace relations laws. To help address this, the Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Limited, trading as Growcom, the peak representative body for the Queensland horticulture industry, commenced the development of an industry-led training and certification program, the Fair Farms Initiative. The Fair Work Ombudsman provided initial funding to support the pilot program.

 

To date, Growcom has developed draft training materials, auditing and certification arrangements, commenced discussions with major retailers and trialled the initiative with a small number of horticultural farm businesses in Queensland. The aim of the initiative is to foster fair employment practices in the Australian horticulture industry.

 

Funding of $1.5 million over four years commencing from 2018-19 will be provided to Growcom for the expansion of the initiative. The funding was included in the 2018-19 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook under the measure 'Changes to the Seasonal Worker Programme' for a period of four years commencing in 2018-19. Details are set out in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2018-19, Appendix A: Policy decisions taken since the 2018-19 Budget, at page 119.

 

The funding will be used to:

*         complete the development of the training program and certification scheme

*         fast track the national implementation of the initiative

*         provide coordinated support and expertise to assist agricultural employers.

 

The initiative will provide support and information to horticultural producers to help ensure their employment practices comply with Australia's workplace relations laws, and meet industry and supply chain standards and community expectations. It is expected the initiative will directly work with more than 1,000 horticultural farm businesses during the funding period. It is anticipated that employees will benefit from an expected improvement in workplace practices.

 

The funding will enable horticultural producers to demonstrate to retailers and their customers that goods they are purchasing have been produced under fair work conditions.

 

Information about the initiative and activities will be available on the Growcom website at www.growcom.com.au/fairfarmsinitiative.

 

A non-competitive grant will be awarded to Growcom, subject to the proposal and process meeting the requirements of the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines 2017 (CGRGs). Growcom has developed the initiative through its pilot phase and is best placed to continue with the initiative's national implementation. The grant will be processed and managed by the department. Decisions relating to the grant, including approval and expenditure, will be made by a departmental official as the delegate of the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources.

 

Growcom will be required to enter into a grant agreement with the department. The grant agreement will include milestones and reporting requirements in relation to the grant which will be paid by the department on the achievement of the milestones set out in the grant agreement. The grant agreement will be administered by the Community Grants Hub in accordance with whole of government arrangements. In accordance with the CGRGs, information on the grant awarded will be published on GrantConnect (www.grants.gov.au).

 

Independent review is not considered appropriate for this payment due to the non-competitive and targeted nature of the grant funding from the Government to Growcom. Given its role in developing and implementing the Fair Farms Initiative, Growcom is best placed to administer the national roll out of the initiative. 

 

However, all general obligations to act fairly in the conduct of the grant process will be observed in accordance with the applicable legislative requirements under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and the CGRGs.

 

The grant agreement will require Growcom to provide external evaluation of the program in 2021-22 as part of the project reporting requirements.

 

Funding for this item will come from Program 1.10: Agricultural Resources, which is part of Outcome 1. Details are set out in the Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements 2018-19, Agriculture and Water Resources Portfolio, at page 16.

 

Noting that it is not a comprehensive statement of relevant considerations, the purpose of the item references the following powers of the Constitution:

*         the trade and commerce power (section 51(i))

*         the communications power (section 51(v))

*         the aliens power (section 51(xix))

*         the immigration power (section 51(xxvii))

*         the treaty implementation aspect of the external affairs power (section 51(xxix))

*         the territories power (section 122).

 

Trade and commerce power

 

Section 51(i) of the Constitution empowers the Parliament to make laws with respect to 'trade and commerce with other countries, and among the States'.

 

Measures enabled by this initiative will facilitate the participation of Australian horticultural businesses in interstate or overseas trade and commerce by enabling those businesses to demonstrate to relevant retailers that working conditions within those businesses are consistent with workplace laws.

 

Communications power

 

Section 51(v) of the Constitution empowers the Parliament to make laws with respect to 'postal, telegraphic, telephonic and other like services'.

 

This initiative will enable Growcom, and participant businesses, to determine whether further or additional training or support is necessary to assist the businesses to comply with their obligations in relation to fair working conditions through the use of online needs assessments and, where appropriate, telephone consultations.

 

Aliens power

 

Section 51(xix) of the Constitution empowers the Parliament to make laws with respect to 'naturalisation and aliens'.

 

The measures enabled by this initiative will foster fair employment practices in the Australian horticultural sector for workers in Australian horticultural businesses who are in Australia on temporary visas, or who are recent immigrants to Australia.

 


 

Immigration power

 

Section 51(xxvii) of the Constitution empowers the Parliament to make laws with respect to 'immigration and emigration'.

 

The measures enabled by this initiative will foster fair employment practices in the Australian horticultural sector for workers in Australian horticultural businesses who are recent immigrants to Australia. 

 

External affairs

 

Section 51(xxxix) of the Constitution empowers the Parliament to make laws with respect to 'external affairs'. The external affairs power supports legislation implementing Australia's obligations under international treaties to which it is a party.

 

Australia is a party to International Labour Organization Convention concerning Labour Administration: Role, Functions and Organisation (No. 150) [1986] ATS 3.

 

Articles 6(2)(a) and (6)(2)(d) provide that ' ... bodies within the system of labour administration shall participate in the preparation, administration, co-ordination, checking and review of national employment policy, in accordance with national laws and regulations and national practice ... [and] ... make technical advice available to employers and workers ... '.

 

Under the initiative, the department will fund the delivery of training and certification to horticultural growers and packing houses by Growcom, a non-government organisation to which the Commonwealth may delegate its labour administration functions, including the functions described in Articles 6(2)(a) and 6(2(d).

 

Australia is also a party to the International Labour Organization Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour, (No. 29) [1933] ATS 21.

 

Article 1(1) provides that ' ... Parties undertake to suppress the use of forced or compulsory labour in all its forms within the shortest possible period.'

 

Measures enabled by the initiative will include activities that aim to assist in ending the use of forced or compulsory labour.

 

Australia is a party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) [1976] ATS 5.

 

Article 7 of the ICESCR obliges Australia to recognise the right of all persons to the enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work, including fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value, safe and healthy working conditions, equal opportunity for promotion and rest, leisure and reasonable limitation of working hours. Pursuant to Article 2(1) of the ICESCR, Australia relevantly undertakes to 'take steps ... to the maximum of its available resources, with a view to achieving progressively the full realization' of this right by all appropriate means.

 

The measures enabled by the initiative, as a whole, would be measures to realise the right of people to the enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work.

 

Territories power

 

Section 122 of the Constitution empowers the Parliament to 'make laws for the government of any territory'.

 

Measures enabled by the program will involve the department funding Growcom to deliver training and certification to horticultural producers in a territory.

 

Item 2 - In the appropriate position in Part 4 of Schedule 1AB (table)

 

Item 2 adds a new table item to Part 4 of Schedule 1AB to establish legislative authority for government spending on an activity that will be administered by the department.

 

New table item 334 establishes legislative authority for government spending on the Strengthening Australia's Fruit Fly System Research Program (the research program) which is part of the Smart Fruit Fly Management measure that was included in the 2018-19 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

 

The Australian fruit fly management system is facing critical failure, which jeopardises Australia's access to international markets.

 

On 19 November 2018, the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, the Hon David Littleproud MP, announced a $16.9 million package of measures to address fruit fly management across Australia. The media release is available at: http://minister.agriculture.gov.au/littleproud/Pages/Media-Releases/smart-fruit-fly-management.aspx.

 

Details of the funding are set out in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2018-19 under the measure 'Smart Fruit Fly Management' at page 154. Funding of $15.3 million has been allocated to the measure over four years from 2018-19, with an additional $1.6 million per annum as ongoing funding. Funding for the measure will come from Program 2.2: Plant and Animal Health, which is part of Outcome 2. Details are set out in the Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements 2018-19, Agriculture and Water Resources Portfolio at page 44.

 

The objective of the funding is to continue to protect farm productivity and profitability, expand Australia's access to key international markets, support regional jobs, and safeguard Australia's unique environment and way of life from the impacts of one of the world's worst horticultural pests.

 

Of the total funding for the package, $6.7 million will be used over four years for the research program to invest in research, development and extension activities to support a nationally coordinated approach to managing fruit fly in Australia. Extension activities would facilitate change and innovation with the aim of improving the productivity and sustainability and competiveness of Australia's primary industries. The program will build on current investment from the Australian Government, state and territory governments and industry in fruit fly management to develop and harmonise fruit fly management across Australia.

 


 

Research and development activities underpin all elements of fruit fly management, providing technical justification and innovative solutions to meet the requirements of international trading partners. Funding of $6.5 million will be provided for research, development and extension activities which are in the national interest for fruit fly management, including detecting, managing, suppressing and eradicating fruit fly populations. This will be achieved through pest distribution mapping of fruit flies across Australia, developing nationally consistent standards for implementing a variety of suppression techniques, enhancing the national trapping grid, and trials of eradication techniques, such as the use of the Sterile Insect Technique, a biological control method that releases sterile insects to reduce reproduction in a pest population.

 

The Intergovernmental Agreement on Strengthening Australia's Fruit Fly Management System (Intergovernmental Agreement), an agreement with all the state and territory governments, will support delivery of key elements of the National Fruit Fly Strategy. This will ensure there is a viable, cost-effective and sustainable national approach for fruit fly management for researching, suppressing, managing and eradicating fruit fly populations across the country.

 

The Commonwealth will make research funding available to appropriate stakeholders subject to state and territory governments undertaking similar investment. The funding will be available on the condition that state and territory governments collectively provide a matching $6.5 million to the program over four years, as agreed in the Intergovernmental Agreement. The agreements with the states and territories will be consistent with the federal financial relations framework by formally identifying the roles and responsibilities of each party and the expected contributions.

 

A further $0.2 million will be provided for targeted research to conduct and identify the feasibility and cost-benefits of eradicating Mediterranean fruit fly from Western Australia. This will have benefits for the whole country, as the eradication of Mediterranean fruit fly would lower treatment costs for Western Australian producers and support market access negotiations for the whole country. It will also demonstrate the effectiveness of managing the fruit fly system as a whole-of-country problem, not on a state-by-state basis. 

 

The department will deliver the research program, including the feasibility study on Mediterranean fruit fly, through grant processes undertaken in accordance with the CGRGs. The grant processes may be ad hoc, open, targeted or competitive to support program outcomes and objectives.

 

The program guidelines will be published on the GrantConnect website at www.grants.gov.au and the administered grant component will be delivered through the Department of Social Services' Community Grants hub.

 

For ad hoc and targeted grants, departmental representatives will work closely with state and territory government and industry representatives to prioritise and recommend applicants to the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources (the Minister) to receive grant funding, based on applicants' meeting program outcomes and objectives. Ad hoc grants may be necessary where a rapid response is required to a changing situation for fruit fly management.

 


 

If open competitive grants processes are used, an assessment panel will be used to assess all eligible applications on merit using selection criteria as published in the grant guidelines. The panel will then make recommendations to the department on the merit of the applications. The department will then advise the Minister, or Minister's delegate, on the merit of the applications.

 

All final decisions about grant recipients and expenditure will be made by the Minister, or the Minister's delegate. Expenditure will be made in accordance with the CGRGs and departmental guidelines. Spending decisions will be made public as required by the CGRGs on the GrantConnect website. 

 

Merits review is not applicable in respect of decisions made in relation to ad hoc or targeted grants given the non-competitive nature of the funding. With regard to grants allocated under a competitive selection process, since there is a finite allocation of funding available and only a proportion of eligible applicants may receive funding, such decisions are not considered suitable for merits review. The remaking of a decision under merits review would necessarily affect funding already allocated to other parties and would delay the implementation of the program. Further information on review mechanisms and complaints, and how they will be dealt with will form part of the grant guidelines.

 

Noting that it is not a comprehensive statement of relevant constitutional considerations, the objective of the item references the following powers of the Constitution:

*         the trade and commerce power (section 51(i))

*         the quarantine power (section 51(ix))

*         the express incidental power and the executive power (sections 51(xxxix) and 61).

 

Trade and commerce power

 

Section 51(i) of the Constitution empowers the Parliament to make laws with respect to 'trade and commerce with other countries, and among the States'.

 

The fruit fly is a pest animal that poses a major threat to Australian exports and ongoing access to overseas markets. To that end, the research program involves activities to combat fruit flies, and activities directed at providing evidence of the absence of fruit fly for market access purposes.

 

Quarantine power

 

Section 51(ix) of the Constitution empowers the Parliament to make laws with respect to 'quarantine.’

 

The research program involves activities to stop the spread of fruit flies, noting that the fruit fly is an animal that infests plants.

 

Executive power and express incidental power

 

The express incidental power in section 51(xxxix) of the Constitution empowers the Parliament to make laws with respect to matters incidental to the execution of any power vested in the Parliament, the executive or the Courts by the Constitution. Together with the executive power in section 61 of the Constitution, the express incidental power extends to a range of matters, including activities that form part of the ordinary and well-recognised functions of government.

 

The research program involves the Commonwealth government engaging in various activities in relation to fruit fly management, including policy development, collaborating with relevant states and territories, and managing the activities undertaken as part of the program.

 

 

 

 


Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

 

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

 

Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture and Water Resources Measures No. 2) Regulations 2019

 

This disallowable legislative instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

 

Overview of the Legislative Instrument

 

Section 32B of the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997 (the FF(SP) Act) authorises the Commonwealth to make, vary and administer arrangements and grants specified in the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Regulations 1997 (the FF(SP) Regulations) and to make, vary and administer arrangements and grants for the purposes of programs specified in the FF(SP) Regulations. Schedule 1AA and Schedule 1AB to the FF(SP) Regulations specify the arrangements, grants and programs. The FF(SP) Act applies to Ministers and the accountable authorities of non-corporate Commonwealth entities, as defined under section 12 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

 

The Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture and Water Resources Measures No. 2) Regulations 2019 amend Schedule 1AB to the (FF(SP) Regulations to establish legislative authority for government spending on two activities that will be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

 

The instrument adds a new table item to Part 3 of Schedule 1AB:

*         table item 30 provides legislative authority for a grant to Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Limited to expand the delivery of the Fair Farms Initiative to implement a training and certification program that aims to foster fair employment practices in the Australian horticulture industry.

 

The instrument adds a new table item to Part 4 of Schedule 1AB:

*         table item 334 provides legislative authority for government spending on the Strengthening Australia's Fruit Fly System Research Program to fund research, development and extension activities to support a nationally coordinated approach to managing fruit fly in Australia. 

 

The Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources has portfolio responsibility for these matters.

 

Table item 30 - Grant to Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Limited

 

Table item 30 establishes legislative authority for government spending on the expansion of the delivery of the Fair Farms Initiative (the initiative). A grant will be provided to the Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Limited, trading as Growcom, to expand the initiative. Reports undertaken by the Fair Work Ombudsman have revealed high rates of non-compliance with workplace relations law among businesses in the horticultural production sector. The initiative is an industry-led training and certification scheme that aims to improve fair work practices in the horticulture industry. The initiative complements the Fair Work Ombudsman's compliance and enforcement work. 

 

The funding will be used to:

*         complete the development of the training program and certification scheme

*         fast track the national implementation of the initiative, which will include the delivery of workplace needs assessments, training workshops and audits

*         provide coordinated support and expertise to assist agriculture employers.

 

The expansion of the initiative will improve the employment practices of horticultural producers and allow them to demonstrate to retailers and their customers that horticultural products have been produced under fair work conditions. The initiative will introduce:

*         an industry owned and developed standard that is benchmarked against Australian workplace relations laws

*         a coordinated system of quality training to support employers to understand their obligations

*         a pathway to certification and an audit mechanism to enable cost-effective auditing of producers' workplace practices by a third party

*         a means of credible certification that can provide certainty and transparency to the supply chain to enable differentiation between compliant and non-compliant operators

*         data capture to enable industry and customer reporting in relation to compliance practices across a range of businesses within the industry.

 

The initiative aims to be recognised by major fresh produce retailers as an approved means for suppliers to demonstrate compliance with the retailer's responsible sourcing policies.

 

A full roll out of the training program and certification scheme will commence across all Australian states and territories engaging with a significant number of horticultural farm businesses. This will expand the initiative from its pilot program in Queensland. The possibility of expanding the initiative into other areas of agriculture will also be explored.

 

The grant funding is administered by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

 

Human rights implications - Grant to Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Limited

 

Table item 30 engages the following human rights:

*         the right to work under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

*         the right to non-discrimination under both the ICESCR and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), including as it relates to the right to work

*         the right to fair conditions of work under Article 7 of the ICESCR.

 

Article 6 of the ICESCR provides that:

'The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right to work, which includes the right of everyone to the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.'

 

Article 7 of the ICESCR provides:

'The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work which ensure, in particular:

 

(a)    Remuneration which provides all workers, as a minimum, with:

(i)     Fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, in particular women being guaranteed conditions of work not inferior to those enjoyed by men, with equal pay for equal work;

(ii)   A decent living for themselves and their families in accordance with the provisions of the present Covenant;

(b)   Safe and healthy working conditions;

(c)    Equal opportunity for everyone to be promoted in his employment to an appropriate higher level, subject to no considerations other than those of seniority and competence;

(d)   Rest, leisure and reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay, as well as remuneration for public holidays.'

 

Article 2(1) of the ICCPR provides:

'Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to respect and to ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.' 

 

Article 2 of the ICESCR reflects the provision relating to discrimination in Article 2(1) of the ICCPR.

 

Article 26 of the ICCPR provides:

'All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. In this respect, the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.' 

 

Table item 30 engages the above rights. The initiative will increase the compliance of horticultural producers with their workplace obligations under the Fair Work Act 2009 and the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011. This includes adherence with minimum wage rates and other conditions established under the relevant industry awards.

 

Conclusion

 

Table item 30 is compatible with human rights because it promotes the protection of human rights.

 


 

Table item 334 - Smart Fruit Fly Management

 

Table item 334 establishes legislative authority for government spending on the Strengthening Australia's Fruit Fly System Research Program (the research program) which is part of the Smart Fruit Fly Management program that was included in the 2018-19 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. This program will provide funding to continue to protect farm productivity and profitability, grow access to key international markets, support regional jobs, and safeguard our unique environment and way of life from the impacts of one of the world's worst horticultural pests. This will be done by investing in research, development and extension activities which strengthen and future-proof Australia's fruit fly management system. It will build on current investment from the Australian Government, state and territory governments and industry in fruit fly management.

 

The funding will be provided to develop and harmonise the management of fruit fly across Australia, including $6.5 million for the program and $0.2 million for a targeted research project on Mediterranean fruit fly. The research program will fund research that enhances current methodologies to suppress, contain and eradicate fruit flies, while also funding trials that demonstrate the effectiveness of these suppression, containment and eradication techniques to manage fruit fly in Australia.

 

Research and development activities underpin all elements of fruit fly management, providing technical justification and innovative solutions to meet the requirements of international trading partners. Funding will be provided for research, development and extension activities which are in the national interest for fruit fly management. Activities will include pest distribution mapping, enhancing the national trapping grid, and trials of eradication techniques such as the use of the Sterile Insect technique.

 

Human rights implications - Smart Fruit Fly Management

 

Table item 334 does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms. An assessment of all the policy triggers for human rights as defined in the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 has been completed and there are no implications under the Strengthening Australia's Fruit Fly System Research Program as this program is for research, development and extension activities of fruit flies.

 

Conclusion

 

Table item 334 is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

 

 

 

 

 

Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

Minister for Finance and the Public Service


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