This regulation may be cited as the Rural and Regional Adjustment (Sheep and Goats Electronic Identification Rebate Scheme) Amendment Regulation 2024.
This regulation amends the Rural and Regional Adjustment Regulation 2011.
After schedule 59—
insert—section 3(1)
The objective of the scheme is to improve biosecurity and traceability in Queensland’s sheep and goat industry.The purpose of assistance under the scheme is to give primary producers and livestock agents a rebate to offset up to half the cost of purchasing eligible hardware.In this schedule—applicant means an entity applying for assistance under the scheme.approved device see the Biosecurity Act 2014, schedule 4.designated place see the Biosecurity Act 2014, schedule 4.electronic reader—(a)means a device that can be used to scan an approved device; but(b)does not include any software or other equipment or infrastructure used to install or operate the device mentioned in paragraph (a).Examples of other equipment or infrastructure—
batteries, cables or stands on which the device may be mountedeligible hardware means—(a)if the applicant is a primary producer—(i)an approved device for use on a sheep or a goat; or(ii)an electronic reader; or(iii)a combination of the devices mentioned in subparagraph (i) and (ii); or(b)if the applicant is a livestock agent—an electronic reader.livestock agent see section 5.PIC see the Biosecurity Act 2014, schedule 4.primary producer see section 4.scheme means the scheme set out in this schedule.(1)A primary producer means a registered biosecurity entity who, immediately before the entity makes an application under the scheme—(a)keeps at least 30 sheep or goats, consisting of either sheep or goats or a combination of both; and(b)keeps the sheep or goats at 1 or more designated places for which a PIC has been allocated.(2)In this section—registered biosecurity entity see the Biosecurity Act 2014, schedule 4.(1)A livestock agent means an entity—(a)who holds—(i)an Australian Business Number; and(ii)an NLIS account as an agent that, within the 12 months immediately before making an application under the scheme, recorded the movement of sheep or goats off a designated place for which a PIC has been allocated; and(b)who carries on business as a livestock agent in Queensland; and(c)whose principle place of business is located in Queensland.(2)In this section—NLIS see the Biosecurity Act 2014, schedule 4.NLIS account means an account registered under the NLIS.6Nature and amount of assistance
(1)The nature of the assistance available under the scheme is a rebate of up to half of the cost of eligible hardware purchased on or after 1 January 2023.(2)The maximum amount of assistance payable to an applicant is—(a)if the applicant is a primary producer—$1,600 for each PIC allocated to a designated place at which the primary producer keeps sheep or goats; or(b)if the applicant is a livestock agent— $1,600.(1)The scheme opens on the day stated on the authority’s website as the day on or after which an application for assistance under the scheme may be made.(2)The scheme closes on 30 June 2025 (the closing day).(3)However, the Minister may, by notice published on the authority’s website (the extension notice), extend the closing day to a stated day that is not more than 6 months after the closing day.(4)The Minister may publish the extension notice only if the Minister is satisfied entities need more time in which to apply for assistance under the scheme.(5)The Minister must table a copy of the extension notice in the Legislative Assembly within 14 days after the day the notice is published.An applicant is eligible to receive assistance under the scheme if the applicant—(a)is a primary producer or a livestock agent; and(b)purchased eligible hardware on or after 1 January 2023.9Requirements for applications
(1)An application for assistance under the scheme must be—(a)made using the form approved by the authority; and(b)accompanied by—(i)copies of the tax invoices, official receipts or bank statements that evidence the amount claimed by the applicant; and(ii)the documents stated in the approved form; and(c)given to the authority while the scheme is open under section 7.(2)If the authority asks the applicant to provide further information to support the application, the applicant must provide the information.(3)In this section—official receipt means a receipt that includes—(a)the name and address of the entity that issued the receipt; and(b)if the issuing entity has an Australian Business Number—the Australian Business Number; and(c)a description of each item to which the receipt relates; and(d)the date the amount to which the receipt relates was paid.10Conditions for assistance—keeping records for audit
Payment of assistance to an applicant under the scheme is subject to the following conditions—(a)the applicant must keep the originals of the documents mentioned in section 9(1)(b)(i) for 1 year after the day the scheme closes under section 7;(b)the applicant must enable the authority to conduct an audit of the documents mentioned in paragraph (a) to verify amounts given to the applicant under the scheme are used in accordance with the application for assistance.(1)The authority must consider, and decide to approve or refuse to approve, each application for assistance under the scheme.(2)However, the authority does not need to consider an application if the application or the applicant does not comply with section 9.(3)The authority must refuse to approve an application if the authority’s assistance funds for the scheme are not sufficient to pay for the assistance applied for in the application.(4)If the authority refuses to approve the application, the authority must give the applicant written notice of the decision.