House of Representatives

Explanatory Memorandum

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Honourable Scott Morrison MP)

Outline

1. The purpose of this Bill is to make a number of technical amendments to the Customs Act 1901 (the Act) to:

(a)

Allow class based authorisations to include future offices or positions that come into existence after the authorisation is given;

(b)

Extend Customs controls to those places at which ships and aircraft arrive in Australia in accordance with section 58 of the Act;

(c)

Provide greater flexibility in relation to the reporting of the arrival of ships and aircraft in Australia and reporting of stores and prohibited goods on such ships and aircraft;

(d)

Improve the application processes for several permissions under the Act. These amendments will also support initiatives to enable online applications for these permissions;

(e)

Extend Customs powers of examination to the baggage of domestic passengers on international flights and voyages, and to domestic cargo that is carried on an international flight or voyage; and

(f)

Enhance the interaction of the infringement notice scheme with the claims process under the Act in relation to prohibited imports.

2. A reference to 'Customs' in this Explanatory Memorandum means the agency continued in existence under subsection 4(1) of the Customs Administration Act 1985, that is the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT

3. The Bill has no financial impact.