Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2004A05273
Timestamp: 2019-08-25 01:08:49
Document Index: 125586253

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 8', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 3', 'art 9', 'art 9', 'art 9']

Details: C2004A05273
- C2004A05273
Act No. 179 of 1997 as made
Date of Assent 25 Nov 1997
C2004A05273
No. 179, 1997
Schedule 1—Amendment of the Farm Household Support Act 1992
Schedule 2—Consequential amendments of other legislation
[Assented to 25 November 1997]
This Act may be cited as the Farm Household Support Amendment (Restart and Exceptional Circumstances) Act 1997.
1 Title (paragraphs (a) and (b))
(a) the provision of income support and advice to farmers who may not have a long-term productive, sustainable and profitable future in the sector; and
(b) the provision of financial incentives to farmers to leave farming; and
(c) the provision of relief payments to farmers who are in exceptional circumstances.
2 Subsection 3(2) (definition of exempt livestock proceeds)
Omit “a drought exceptional circumstances certificate referred to in section 8A applied to the person”, substitute “an exceptional circumstances certificate referred to in section 8A applies to the person, or during a period in respect of which restart income support is payable to the person”.
re‑establishment grant means a grant under the restart re‑establishment grant scheme.
restart advice scheme means the scheme referred to in section 52B.
restart re‑establishment grant scheme means the scheme referred to in section 52A.
6 Subsection 3(2)
restart scheme payment commencement day means the day that is, under section 4A, the restart scheme payment commencement day.
7 Subsection 3(2)
restart scheme payments means payments of the following kinds:
(a) payments of restart income support;
(b) payments of re‑establishment grants;
(c) payments of assistance under the restart advice scheme.
Omit “Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy”, substitute “relevant Secretary”.
Omit “provided to the Secretary”, substitute “provided to the Secretary of the Department of Social Security”.
10 Paragraph 4(2)(a)
Omit “the Secretary”, substitute “the Secretary of the Department of Social Security”.
After “farm household support”, insert “or restart income support, or an application for a re-establishment grant”.
relevant Secretary means:
(a) in relation to farm household support—the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy; and
(b) in relation to restart income support or re-establishment grants—the Secretary of the Department of Social Security.
13 After section 4
4A The restart scheme payment commencement day
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the restart scheme payment commencement day is the day fixed by Proclamation as the restart scheme payment commencement day for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The day fixed by Proclamation under subsection (1) must not be more than 6 months after the day on which this section commences.
(3) If the restart scheme payment commencement day is not fixed by Proclamation under subsection (1) within the period of 6 months beginning on the day on which this section commences, the restart scheme payment commencement day is the first day after the end of that period.
14 Paragraph 6(a)
After “financial assistance”, insert “and advice”.
15 Subparagraph 6(c)(ii)
Omit “due to extreme drought”.
16 Part 1A (heading)
Part 1A—Ending farm household support, restart income support and re‑establishment grants
Note: The heading to section 6A is altered by omitting “Termination of” and substituting “Ending”.
17 At the end of Part 1A
6B Ending restart income support
Restart income support is not payable to a person:
(a) in respect of a claim lodged at a time that is more than 4 years after the restart scheme payment commencement day; or
(b) in respect of any period that is more than 5 years after the restart scheme payment commencement day.
6C Ending re‑establishment grants
A re‑establishment grant is not payable to a person:
(a) in respect of an application lodged at a time that is more than 2 years after the restart scheme payment commencement day; or
(b) in respect of any sale that is completed more than 3 years after the restart scheme payment commencement day.
Part 2—Qualification for and payability of farm household support, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support
19 Division 1A of Part 2 (heading)
Division 1A—Qualification for exceptional circumstances relief payment
20 Subsection 8A(1)
Omit “drought” (first occurring), substitute “exceptional circumstances”.
Note: The heading to section 8A is altered by omitting “drought” and substituting “exceptional circumstances”.
21 Subparagraph 8A(1)(b)(ii)
Omit “a drought”, substitute “an”.
22 Subsection 8A(2)
23 Paragraph 8A(2)(a)
24 After Division 1A of Part 2
Division 1B—Qualification for restart income support
8B Qualification for restart income support
Subject to this Division, a person is qualified for restart income support in respect of a period if:
(a) the period begins on or after the restart scheme payment commencement day; and
(b) throughout the period, the person:
(i) is a farmer; and
(iii) is an Australian resident; and
(iv) is in Australia; and
(c) the person has been a farmer for a continuous period of at least 2 years immediately before the period; and
(d) a certificate of inability to obtain finance issued in respect of the person has effect throughout the period.
Note: For the ending of restart income support, see section 6B.
8C Persons not qualified if Secretary determines that they do not effectively control farm enterprises
A person is not qualified, or ceases to be qualified, for restart income support in respect of a period if the Secretary determines that:
(a) the person is not effectively in control of the farm enterprise for which the person claims restart income support; and
(b) restart income support should not be payable to the person in respect of the period.
Note: Some examples of cases in which the Secretary may consider that a person is not effectively in control of a farm enterprise are when a mortgagee has taken possession of a farm, when a person is a bankrupt or when an eviction notice has been served on a person in respect of a farm.
8D Persons not qualified if they have received restart income support for 1 year
(1) A person is not qualified, or ceases to be qualified, for restart income support if the person has received restart income support in respect of a period of 1 year, or in respect of periods that add up to 1 year.
(2) If a person’s partner (if any) during a period was paid restart income support in respect of the period, that period is taken, for the purposes of subsection (1), to be a period during which the person received restart income support.
8E Persons not qualified in relation to later claims for restart income support in certain circumstances
(1) A person is not qualified for restart income support in respect of a particular claim if restart income support has already been paid to the person in respect of a period of 6 months or more, or periods that add up to 6 months or more, pursuant to an earlier claim, or earlier claims.
(2) If a person’s partner (if any) during a period was paid restart income support in respect of the period, that period is taken, for the purposes of subsection (1), to be a period in respect of which the person has been paid restart income support.
(3) A person is not qualified for restart income support in respect of a particular claim if restart income support has already been paid to the person pursuant to 2 earlier claims.
(4) If, when a claim is lodged, the person who makes the claim is another person’s partner, restart income support paid to the person pursuant to the claim is taken, for the purposes of subsection (3), to be restart income support paid to both the person and the person’s partner pursuant to the claim.
(5) A reference in subsection (3) to a claim does not include a reference to a claim that a person is taken to have made under subsection 49D(2).
Division 2—Situations in which farm household support, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support is not payable
26 Paragraph 9(1)(aa)
Omit “drought”, substitute “exceptional circumstances”.
Note: The heading to section 9 is replaced by the heading “Overview of rules about non‑payability”.
27 Subsection 9(2)
28 Subsection 9(2)
(3) Restart income support is not payable to a person for a period during which the person is qualified for restart income support if, during that period:
(a) farm household support or exceptional circumstances relief payment is payable to the person (see section 9B); or
(b) no determination by the Secretary that the value of the person’s assets does not exceed the person’s asset value limit has effect (see section 10); or
(c) the person is a full-time student (see section 11); or
(d) another support payment is being paid to the person (see section 12); or
(e) the person is receiving income that is paid by a community or group from funds provided under a Commonwealth fund employment program (see section 13); or
(f) a determination is made (in accordance with provisions of the restart advice scheme) that restart income support is not payable to the person for the period (see section 13A).
30 Section 9A
Omit “drought” (wherever occurring, including in the note), substitute “exceptional circumstances”.
Note: The heading to section 9A is altered by omitting “drought” and substituting “exceptional circumstances”.
31 After section 9A
9B Restart income support not payable if farm household support or exceptional circumstances relief payment is payable
Restart income support is not, and is taken never to have been, payable to a person for a period if the person is receiving, or has received, farm household support or exceptional circumstances relief payment in respect of that period.
Note: See Part 8A for additional rules about suspension of restart income support where exceptional circumstances relief payment is payable.
32 Subsection 10(1)
Omit “Neither farm household support nor drought relief payment is payable”, substitute “Farm household support, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support is not payable”.
Note: The heading to section 10 is replaced by the heading “Assets test”.
33 Paragraphs 10(2)(a) and (b)
Omit “or drought relief payment”, substitute “, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support”.
34 Subsection 11(1)
36 Subsection 12(1)
37 Subsection 12(1A)
(1A) If a person is a member of a couple, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support is not payable to the person for a period if the person’s partner is receiving, or has received, any of the following for that period:
(a) farm household support;
(b) exceptional circumstances relief payment;
(c) restart income support.
38 Subsection 12(2)
39 Subsections 12(3), (4) and (5)
40 Subsection 12(6)
41 Section 13
42 At the end of Division 2 of Part 2
13A Obligation to obtain advice
(1) The Secretary may direct a person to whom restart income support is payable to obtain advice as specified in the direction. The direction must be consistent with the guidelines contained in the restart advice scheme (see paragraph 52B(3)(a)).
(2) The Secretary must arrange for the provision of assistance to the person under the restart advice scheme (see paragraph 52B(3)(b)) for the purpose of complying with the direction.
(3) If the person does not comply with the direction, the consequences for the continued payability of restart income support to the person are as determined in accordance with the provisions of the restart advice scheme referred to in paragraph 52B(3)(c).
43 Part 3 (heading)
Part 3—Claim for farm household support, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support
45 Paragraph 14(2)(a)
46 Paragraph 14(2)(b)
Omit “farm household support or drought relief payment, as the case requires”, substitute “that support or payment”.
47 Subparagraph 15(b)(ii)
48 Subsection 19(2)
Omit “drought” (wherever occurring), substitute “exceptional circumstances”.
(3) The Secretary is to determine that the claim is to be granted if the claim is for restart income support and the Secretary is satisfied that:
(a) the person is qualified for restart income support; and
(b) no provision of this Act makes the support not payable to the person.
50 Paragraphs 20(2)(a), (3)(a) and (4)(a)
Omit “or drought relief payment”, substitute “, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support”
51 Part 4 (heading)
Part 4—Rate of farm household support, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support
52 Division 2 of Part 4 (heading)
Division 2—Rate of exceptional circumstances relief payment
53 Subsection 24A(1)
Note: The heading to section 24A is altered by omitting “drought” and substituting “exceptional circumstances”.
54 At the end of Part 4
Division 3—Rate of restart income support
24B Rate of restart income support—how worked out
(1) The fortnightly rate at which restart income support is payable to a person is the sum of:
(a) the fortnightly rate at which newstart allowance would be payable to the person if the person were entitled to receive newstart allowance; and
(3) In calculating a rate referred to in this section, the value of assets that are exempt assets for the purposes of this Act is to be disregarded.
(4) In calculating a rate referred to in this section, exempt livestock proceeds are to be disregarded.
55 Part 5 (heading)
Part 5—Payment of farm household support, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support
56 Subsection 25(2)
57 Subsection 25(2)
Note: The heading to section 25 is replaced by the heading “Commencement of payment”.
58 At the end of section 25
(3) Restart income support becomes payable to a person on the day on which the Secretary’s determination that the person’s claim for restart income support is to be granted takes effect (see section 20).
59 Section 26A
Note 1: The heading to section 26 is altered by omitting “Support” and substituting “Farm household support”.
Note 2: The heading to section 26A is altered by omitting “Drought” and substituting “Exceptional circumstances”.
60 After section 26A
26B Restart income support to be by way of grant
Restart income support is paid to a person by way of grant of financial assistance to the person.
61 Subsection 28(1)
62 Section 29A
Omit “drought” (wherever occurring, including in the formula and Note 2), substitute “exceptional circumstances”.
Note: The heading to section 29A is altered by omitting “drought” and substituting “exceptional circumstances”.
63 After section 29A
29B Amount of instalments of restart income support
The instalment of restart income support payable for a period to a person is worked out using the formula:
Note 1: For the person’s rate, see section 24B.
Note 2: An instalment of restart income support may be reduced for the purpose of the recovery of a debt under section 56 of this Act (see section 1231A of the Social Security Act 1991).
64 Subsection 31(1)
66 Subsections 41(1) and (2)
67 Subsection 42(1)
Note: The heading to section 42 is altered by omitting “or drought relief payment” and substituting “, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support”.
68 Subsection 42(1)
Omit “the drought relief payment”, substitute “the exceptional circumstances relief payment”.
69 Part 8 (heading)
Part 8—Termination of farm household support, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support
70 Section 43
Omit “or drought relief payment” (wherever occurring), substitute “, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support”.
71 Section 44
72 Section 45
73 Paragraph 46(1)(a)
74 Paragraph 46(1)(b)
75 Subsection 46(1)
76 Section 47
Note: The heading to section 47 is altered by omitting all the words after “in need”.
77 Subsection 48(2)
78 Paragraphs 48(2)(a) and (b)
79 At the end of section 48
(3) Restart income support ceases to be payable to a person if:
(a) the person asks the Secretary in writing to stop paying instalments of restart income support to him or her; or
(b) the person ceases to be qualified for restart income support.
80 Section 49
81 Part 8A (heading)
Part 8A—Suspension of farm household support and restart income support if exceptional circumstances relief payment is payable
82 Section 49A
Omit “Farm household support ceases, and is taken to have ceased,”, substitute “Both farm household support and restart income support cease, and are taken to have ceased,”.
Note: The heading to section 49A is replaced by the heading “Farm household support and restart income support cease to be payable if exceptional circumstances relief payment is payable”.
83 Section 49A
84 Subsection 49B(1)
Note: The heading to section 49B is altered by omitting “drought” and substituting “exceptional circumstances”.
85 Paragraph 49B(1)(b)
Omit “DRP”, substitute “ECRP”.
86 Subsection 49B(2)
87 Paragraph 49B(4)(b)
88 Subparagraph 49B(5)(a)(ii)
89 Subsection 49C(1)
Note: The heading to section 49C is altered by omitting “drought” and substituting “exceptional circumstances”.
90 Paragraph 49C(1)(b)
91 Subsection 49C(2)
Omit “DRP” (wherever occurring), substitute “ECRP”
92 Paragraph 49C(5)(b)
93 Paragraph 49C(6)(b)
94 At the end of Part 8A
49D Suspension of restart income support where exceptional circumstances relief payment is payable
(a) at a particular time (the original RIS cessation time), restart income support ceases, or ceased, to be payable to the person because exceptional circumstances relief payment becomes, or became, payable to the person; and
(b) at a later time (the ECRP cessation time), exceptional circumstances relief payment ceases to be payable to the person.
Deemed claim for restart income support
(2) The person is taken to have made a proper claim (the new RIS claim) for restart income support under Part 3 immediately after the ECRP cessation time.
Continuity of declarations etc.
(3) If the Secretary determines under section 19 that the new RIS claim is to be granted, a direction or notice in force in relation to the person under section 32 or 41 immediately before the original RIS cessation time has effect, in relation to restart income support payable as a result of the new RIS claim, as if the direction or notice, as the case requires, had been given immediately after the determination takes effect.
95 After Part 9
Part 9A—Restart re‑establishment grant scheme
52A Restart re‑establishment grant scheme
(a) formulate a scheme for the provision of payments, to be made after the restart scheme payment commencement day, by way of grant of financial assistance to people on the sale of farm enterprises, or rights or interests in farm enterprises; and
The scheme is to be known as the restart re‑establishment grant scheme and a grant is to be known as a re‑establishment grant.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the scheme may deal with:
(a) the circumstances in which people are qualified to apply for re‑establishment grants; and
(b) the procedure for applying for a grant; and
(c) the circumstances in which a grant is payable; and
(d) the amount of grant payable; and
(e) the method for paying a grant.
Note: For the ending of re‑establishment grants, see section 6C.
(3) The scheme may provide for the Secretary to direct a person who has applied for a re-establishment grant to obtain advice as specified in the direction. The direction must be consistent with the guidelines contained in the restart advice scheme (see paragraph 52B(3)(a)).
(4) If the Secretary gives a direction referred to in subsection (3), the Secretary must arrange for the provision of assistance to the person under the restart advice scheme (see paragraph 52B(3)(b)) for the purpose of complying with the direction.
(5) The consequences for the payability of a re-establishment grant to a person who does not comply with a direction referred to in subsection (3) are as determined in accordance with the provisions of the restart advice scheme referred to in paragraph 52B(3)(c).
Part 9B—Restart advice scheme
52B Restart advice scheme
(a) formulate a scheme under which farmers and their families are provided with assistance for the purpose of obtaining advice to assist farmers to assess their long-term prospects; and
The scheme is to be known as the restart advice scheme.
(a) the circumstances in which people are eligible to receive assistance; and
(b) the procedure for applying for assistance; and
(c) a limit on the amount of assistance to be provided; and
(d) the types of advice for which assistance may be provided; and
(e) the people (including their qualifications or expertise) who may provide the advice; and
(f) the form in which the assistance is provided.
(3) The scheme must:
(a) set out guidelines for the giving of directions under subsection 13A(1), or under the restart re-establishment grants scheme, requiring people to obtain advice; and
(b) provide for assistance to people for the purpose of complying with such directions; and
(c) provide a method for determining the consequence, for the payability of restart income support, or a re-establishment grant, of a person not complying with such a direction.
96 Paragraphs 54(1)(a), (b) and (c)
97 Paragraph 54(1)(e)
98 At the end of subsection 54(1)
; or (f) the rate at which restart income support is, or was, payable.
Omit “Both farm household support and drought relief payment”, substitute “Farm household support, exceptional circumstances relief payment and restart scheme payments”.
Note: The heading to section 55 is altered by omitting “and drought relief payment” and substituting “, exceptional circumstances relief payment and restart scheme payments”.
100 After section 55
55A Effect of garnishee or attachment order
(b) instalments of farm household support, exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support (the relevant payment type) payable to the person are being paid to the credit of the account; and
Step 1. Work out the total amount payable to the person in respect of the relevant payment type that has been paid to the credit of the account during the 4 week period immediately before the court order came into force.
Step 2. Subtract from that amount the total amount withdrawn from the account during the same 4 week period: the result is the saved amount.
financial institution means a bank, building society, credit union or other institution that receives money on deposit.
101 Section 56
102 Paragraph 56(d)
103 After paragraph 56(d)
or (e) in the case of an amount purporting to be an amount of restart income support—the amount was part of a payment made because the restart income support payable to the person in respect of that period was calculated at a rate higher than the rate at which it should have been calculated;
104 At the end of section 56
(a) an amount purporting to be an amount of re-establishment grant payable under the restart re-establishment grant scheme has been paid to a person; and
(a) some or all of the amount was not payable to the person under the scheme;
the amount that was not payable may be recovered by the Commonwealth as a debt due to the Commonwealth.
105 Section 56 (note)
106 Subsection 57(3)
107 At the end of section 57
(4) Restart scheme payments are to be made out of money appropriated by the Parliament for the purpose of such payments.
Note: The heading to section 57 is replaced by the heading “Source of funds for payments”.
108 Section 59
1 After paragraph 116(2)(mc)
(mca) amounts paid to the bankrupt as a re‑establishment grant under the restart re‑establishment grant scheme within the meaning of the Farm Household Support Act 1992;
2 Subparagraph 116(2)(md)(i)
Omit “or (mc)”, substitute “, (mc) or (mca)”.
3 Subsection 116(2D) (paragraph (c) of the definition of exempt money)
After “(mc)”, insert “, (mca)”.
4 Paragraph 5DA(1)(a)
(a) exceptional circumstances relief payment, or restart income support, is payable to a person in respect of a period (the payment period) beginning on or after 1 October 1994; and
Note: The heading to section 5DA is altered by omitting “drought relief payment” and substituting “exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support”.
5 Subsection 5DA(1)
Omit “DRP period”, substitute “payment period”.
6 Paragraph 5DA(2)(b)
7 Subsection 5DA(4) (definition of drought relief payment)
8 Subsection 5DA(4)
exceptional circumstances relief payment means exceptional circumstances relief payment under the Farm Household Support Act 1992.
9 Subsection 5DA(4)
restart income support means restart income support under the Farm Household Support Act 1992.
10 Subsection 79A(4) (paragraph (b) of the definition of prescribed allowance)
(b) so much of an exceptional circumstances relief payment, or a payment of restart income support, under the Farm Household Support Act 1992 as would have been included by way of remote area allowance if it had been a payment of newstart allowance under the Social Security Act 1991 instead of an exceptional circumstances relief payment, or a payment of restart income support.
11 Subsection 160AAA(1) (paragraph (da) of the definition of rebatable benefit)
12 Section 11-15 (table item headed “social security or like payments”, entry relating to drought relief)
13 Section 11-15 (table item headed “social security or like payments”, after the entry relating to resistance fighter and victim of wartime persecution)
restart income support..................................................
14 Section 13-1 (table item headed “drought relief”)
15 Section 13-1 (after table item headed “eligible termination payments (ETPs)”)
16 Section 13-1 (table item headed “primary production”, entry relating to drought relief payments)
17 Section 13-1 (at the end of the table item headed “primary production”)
restart income support payments see social security and other benefit payments
18 Section 13-1 (after table item headed “residents of isolated areas”)
restart income support
19 Section 13-1 (table item headed “social security and other benefit payments”, entry relating to drought relief)
exceptional circumstances relief under the Farm
Household Support Act 1992....................................
20 Section 13-1 (table item headed “social security and other benefit payments”, after the entry relating to pension)
restart income support under the Farm Household
Support Act 1992.....................................................
21 Section 53-10 (table item 3)
22 Section 53-10 (table item 4)
23 At the end of section 53-10
Note: References in this section to exceptional circumstances relief payment also cover amounts paid as drought relief payment—see item 4 of Schedule 3 to the Farm Household Support Amendment (Restart and Exceptional Circumstances) Act 1997.
24 Section 53-15
Omit “a drought relief payment” (wherever occurring), substitute “an exceptional circumstances relief payment or a payment of restart income support”.
Note: The heading to section 53-15 is altered by omitting “a drought relief payment” and substituting “exceptional circumstances relief payment or restart income support”.
25 Paragraph 53-15(c)
Before “so much”, insert “if the payment is an exceptional circumstances relief payment—”.
26 Section 995-1 (definition of supplementary amount, table item 1)
Omit “Drought relief payment”, substitute “Exceptional circumstances relief payment or payment of restart income support”.
27 Point 1067E-E13
Omit “a drought relief”, substitute “an”.
28 Paragraph 1250(1)(da)
Omit “7A”, substitute “8A”.
amended FHS Act means the Farm Household Support Act 1992 as amended and in force from time to time after the commencement of this Act.
previous FHS Act means the Farm Household Support Act 1992 as in force immediately before the commencement of this Act.
2 Continued effect of drought exceptional circumstances certificates and continued payment of relief pursuant to such certificates
(1) A drought exceptional circumstances certificate referred to in section 8A of the previous FHS Act that was in force immediately before the commencement of this Act has effect, for the remainder of the period specified in it, as if it were an exceptional circumstances certificate referred to in section 8A of the amended FHS Act.
(2) Subject to the provisions of the amended FHS Act, exceptional circumstances relief payment is to be paid to the person to whom the certificate was issued for the remainder of the period specified in the certificate as if the person’s claim for drought relief payment were a claim for exceptional circumstances relief payment.
3 Treatment of undetermined claims for drought relief
A claim for drought relief payment made, but not determined, before the commencement of this Act is to be treated, after that commencement, as if it were a claim for exceptional circumstances relief payment.
4 References in Acts to exceptional circumstances relief payment also cover drought relief payment
A reference in the amended FHS Act, or in another Act that is amended by this Act, to exceptional circumstances relief payment paid to a person has effect, after the commencement of this Act, as if it included a reference to drought relief payment paid to a person under the Farm Household Support Act 1992.
(173/97)
Senate on 23 October 1997]