Explanatory Memorandum
(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Justice and Customs Senator the honourable Amanda Vanstone)Financial impact statement
The measures proposed in Schedules 1, 2 and 3 - amendments to the Customs Act 1901 and the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989 and the Customs Administration Act 1985 - have no direct financial impact, and regulatory impact is minor or machinery in nature. Schedule 1 extends to Customs officers powers currently exercised by employees of Australia Post. Schedule 2 provides for increased penalties for goods that are already controlled under Customs (Prohibited Imports) and Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations. Any increased workload arising from the new criminal penalties will be dealt with in the normal budgetary context. Schedule 2 also removes current restrictions on jurisdictional limits, extends existing arrest powers to the new offences and provides for procedural improvements in dealing with abandoned goods and with evidence seized during an investigation. Schedule 3 has no financial impact.