Julian Hill (Bruce, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

Custom Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2026.

The customs tariff proposal that I have tabled eliminates the five per cent general customs duty rate imposed on goods under approximately 500 tariff classifications, making them 'free'. The reduced rates will commence on 1 July 2026. This change simplifies the importation of a range of goods, including certain household and consumer wares, personal care products, clothing and textiles. By removing duties where concessions are already widely used, we are reducing red tape for businesses, lowering costs for Australians and boosting productivity. Those goods classified under the approximately 500 tariff classifications have been selected for this measure because very few, if any, importers pay the five per cent general duty rate as a result of the widespread use of tariff concessions and preferential rates available for these goods.

To meet Australia's free trade commitments, this proposal also amends schedule 14 to the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to ensure Australia complies with its Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, RCEP, obligations, ensuring that preferential rates of customs duty imposed on RCEP-originating goods that fall within the scope of this measure are not higher than the general rate of duty. Schedule 14 is the only free trade agreement schedule to the Customs Tariff Act under which preferential customs duty rates have not yet been incrementally reduced to 'free' for some of the 500 tariff headings and subheadings affected by this measure.

Debate adjourned.