Explanatory Memorandum
(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Home Affairs, the Honourable Clare O'Neil MP)Attachment B - Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights [Customs Licensing Charges Amendment Bill 2024]
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
Customs Licensing Charges Amendment Bill 2024
This Bill 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 Bill
The purpose of the Customs Licensing Charges Amendment Bill 2024 (the Charges Bill) is to modernise, streamline and strengthen the customs licensing regime in support of the Customs Amendment (Strengthening and Modernising Licensing and Other Measures) Bill 2024. Alongside the primary changes to the Customs Act 1901 (the Act) via the aforementioned bill, the Charges Bill amends the Customs Licensing Charges Act 1997 to strengthen licence fee compliance by aligning licence renewal payment requirements and calculations to ensure consistency across the regime. In addition, the Charges Bill will also standardise licence charges across customs licensed depot and warehouse regimes and to rectify deficiencies found in calculating depot licence renewals fees.
Streamlining licence fee processes and aligning payment requirements between customs licence types will support businesses to be better equipped in complying with their obligations under customs legislation. The provisions to strengthen existing customs licensing requirements provide an equal playing field for businesses as it ensures that those who comply with their obligations are not being undercut by individuals /or entities who seek to circumvent controls.
The reforms also benefit government by reducing the administrative burden associated with managing the customs licensing regime.
Human rights implications
This Bill does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.
Conclusion
This Bill is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.
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