House debates

Wednesday, 9 November 2022

Tariff Proposals

Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 6) 2022

9:06 am

Photo of Clare O'NeilClare O'Neil (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | | Hansard source

In the terms of the printed proposal which is now being circulated to honourable members, I move:

Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 6) 2022.

The customs tariff proposal that I've just tabled extends the additional customs duty of 35 per cent applied to goods that are the produce or manufacture of Russia or Belarus imported from 25 October 2022 to 24 October 2023. This proposal, together with the amendments proposed by Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 3) 2022 mean that the additional duty rate of 35 per cent will be payable for goods that have left for shipment to Australia on or after 25 April 2022 and are imported between 25 April 2022 and 24 October 2023.

The proposal also re-enables access to certain tariff concessions provided by schedule 4 to the Customs Tariff Act for goods from Russia and Belarus. The concessions restored are those that give effect to certain international agreements and those that facilitate the importation of personal effects and duties exported and returned to Australia. These amendments commenced on 25 April 2022 at the same time as the additional duty was first applied.

Australia is joining like-minded countries in removing the 'most favoured nation' treatment previously accorded to goods imported from Russia. This increase in duty is in line with increases imposed by the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America. This temporary measure is a response to Russia's brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine, supported by Belarus, and is necessary for the protection of Australia's essential security interests.

Debate adjourned.