House of Representatives

Explanatory Memorandum

(Circulated by authority of the Treasurer, the Hon Peter Costello, MP)

Chapter 2 - Minor technical amendments

Outline of chapter

2.1 This chapter explains minor technical amendments to the Excise Tariff Act 1921 (Excise Tariff Act) that replace outdated Minister of State references.

2.2 Items 25 and 26 of Schedule 1 to this bill alter subsections 3(1) and 3A(1) of the Excise Tariff Act.

Context of amendments

2.3 The Excise Tariff Act currently contains outdated references to a Minister of State in a number of crude oil provisions.

2.4 On 15 August 2001, the Government announced changes to the Excise Tariff Act to encourage oil exploration and production both onshore and offshore. The changes will reduce the rates of excise duty for old and new crude oil, and streamline current legislation.

2.5 The opportunity is to be taken to include the minor technical amendments to outdated references as part of the streamlining of crude oil provisions.

Summary of new law

2.6 The Excise Tariff Act will be amended by replacing outdated references to a Minister of State with current references.

Detailed explanation of new law

2.7 The Excise Tariff Act contains outdated references to a Minister of State. Although these references are presently reinterpreted under the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 , the actual text remains outdated.

2.8 The current reference to the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy will be omitted and substituted with the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources in the following provisions of the Excise Tariff Act:

•

the definition of intermediate area under subsection 3(1); and

•

subsection 3A(1).

Application and transitional provisions

2.9 The amendments to be made by this bill will commence on the date of Royal Assent.