Inquiry into the Customs Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2002

Inquiry into the Customs Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2002

On 5 March 2003, the Senate referred the Bill and related matters to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 27 May 2003 (extended from 20 March 2003).

The Bill:

  • introduces new provisions for determining the normal value of goods in countries with an economy in transition (that is, countries moving towards a market economy);
  • amends the anti-dumping provisions of the Customs Act 1901, particularly to ensure that the Act is consistent with the WTO Agreement on the Implementation of Article VI of the GATT;
  • exempts air security officers from the passenger movement charge; and
  • makes minor and technical amendments to international trade modernisation elements of customs legislation.

The Senate Selection of Bills Committee has drawn the Committee’s attention to the issue of whether the proposals in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Bill (concerning economies in transition) are incompatible with Australia’s obligations to China under the WTO’s system of international agreements, and if so, possible remedial options. This issue is expected to see the major focus of this inquiry.

Further Information

Lodging Submissions

The closing date for lodgement of submissions and/or expressing interest in giving evidence is Friday, 14 March 2003.

Submissions become Committee documents and are only made public after a decision by the Committee. Unauthorised release of submissions is not covered by parliamentary privilege. Further assistance can be obtained by phoning the secretariat on (02) 6277 3560.

The Committee encourages the lodgement of submissions in electronic form to legcon.sen@aph.gov.au. Please ensure that a postal address and phone number is enclosed with all email submissions.

Submissions may also be faxed to (02) 6277 5794.

Interim Report - Tabled 25 March 2003 - (Word 32KB)

Report - Tabled 27 May 2003 (PDF 275KB)

Submissions Received

Public Hearings

Program - 19 March 2003 (Word 21KB)

For further information

    The Secretariat
    Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee
    Room S1.61, Parliament House
    Canberra ACT 2600
    AUSTRALIA

    Telephone: (02) 6277 3560
    Fax: (02) 6277 5794

    E Mail: legcon.sen@aph.gov.au