DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND WATER RESOURCES

CARGO CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

MINUTES

74thDCCC Meeting

9.00 am to 1.00 pm

Wednesday 27 July 2016

PEQ Facility

135 Donnybrook Road, Mickleham VIC 3064

Agenda Item 1 – Chair’s Introduction

Present

Raelene Vivian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

Tina HutchisonDepartment of Agriculture and Water Resources

Robyn ClelandDepartment of Agriculture and Water Resources

Andrew LieschkeDepartment of Agriculture and Water Resources

Jagtej SinghDepartment of Agriculture and Water Resources

Amanda MacDonaldDepartment of Agriculture and Water Resources

Melanie CairnsDepartment of Agriculture and Water Resources

John SouthwellDepartment of Agriculture and Water Resources

Darren GillDepartment of Agriculture and Water Resources (part meeting)

Joe Menegazzo Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (part meeting)

Brian LovellAFIF

Tony BeaverFBIA

Rod NairnSAL

Paul ZalaiFTA

Andrew HudsonECA

Leigh BryantACCI

Jock O’HaganAsciano

John ChambersCBFCA (alternate)

Observers

Clare MurrayCBFCA

Travis Brooks-GarrettFTA

Alison NeilDepartment of Immigration and Border Protection

Apologies

Paul BagnallCAPEC

Stephen MorrisCBFCA

Craig Birchall BARA

John WardaICHCA

Rick HaweDepartment of Agriculture and Water Resources

Secretariat

Kathleen QuanDepartment of Agriculture and Water Resources

Ms Vivian opened the meeting at 9:00 am and welcomed members. Members were asked to declare any new conflicts of interest. Mr Nairn advised the committee that Shipping Australia Limited has taken on provision of training for the Australian Industry Training Group on Biosecurity.

The meeting minutes were accepted by members, noting minimal comments were received and had been addressed. An update was provided against the action items from DCCC meeting 73. All action items had been completed or were on the agenda for discussion.

Agenda Item 2 –Service Delivery Operations

At the March 2016 DCCC meeting, members were advised of the department’s plan to review the service standards. Mr Singh provided the committee with an update on the service standards that have been developed through the working group which was established from nominations received from DCCC members. Mr Chambers suggested that some of the service standards targets could be reviewed to reflect urgent/priority requirements. Mr Singh acknowledged this and advised the department is working towards a prioritisation system.

Mr Singh advised that the long term focus for the department is moving away from emails to addressing real time issues through self service and enabling better visibility of issues raised by clients. This will involve training staff to respond appropriately and meeting the service targets more effectively. Ms Vivian advised this will take some time to fully implement.It was agreed that service standards would be a standing agenda item.

Mr Zalai advised the service standards for COLS has improved significantly however it would be useful if there was an issues register for members to contribute. Mr Singh advised an issues register can be made available for members and would be happy to receive feedback and issues from members.

Mr Beaver raised the 20 day period for issuing Import Permits was too long and if the timeframe could be reviewed to be more specific and relevant to commodities. According to the Service Standards paper there is ambiguity around technical assessments that may be required for Import Permits. Mr Singh agreed to provide clarification to the committee.
Ms Vivian advised the committee the department would look into this and update at the next DCCC meeting.

Mr Lovell raised the issue of inconsistency of service that varies across different states. Ms Vivian requested Mr Lovell to provide some examples for the department to investigate further and discuss at the next DCCC meeting. Mr Singh thanked the committee members of the working group for their time progressing to progress service stands, and reiterated that ensuring national consistency is at the forefront of service delivery.

Action item:Mr Singh to provide the COLS Issues Register to DCCC members.

Action item: Mr Singh to clarify the wording relating to technical assessments within the Service Standards paper.

Agenda Item 3 – Biosecurity Legislation

Ms MacDonald provided an update on the implementation of biosecurity legislation. Stage One of delivering the biosecurity legislation has been completed. The Biosecurity Act 2015 came into effect on 16 June 2016 at midnight with minimal issues. There were 65 aircraft cleared before 9am which was a good test for the new act.The next stage is to focus on realising the benefits of the biosecurity legislation.

At the March 2016 DCCC meeting the department advised it would publish an e-learning package for industry. To date there has been over 1400 hits on the elearning package with positive feedback received.

Mr Lieschke advised that work is still underway to progress infringement notices across all pathways and for the passenger environment infringement notices continue to be issued.
Ms Vivian advised that the department is working on the process for infringement notices and non-compliance. Mr Hudson advised he would be able to share learnings from the work he has done for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s infringement notice scheme. Ms Vivian noted this action remains open with the intention to members with this information.

Members were asked to provide feedback on the implementation of the biosecurity legislation. Feedback received was generally positive with the following notes:

  • Mr Chambers: QAP to Approved Arrangements renewal process online was easy and went well.
  • Mr Hudson: Early release of guides, elearning assisted industry to understand the transition process.
  • Mr Hudson: It would be useful to streamline the fit and proper person criteria with government agencies.
  • Mr Zalai: It is important to have a strong compliance regime in place.
  • Ms Bryant: Non-compliance outcomes need to driven by the department to inform and influence industry and client education and behaviour.
  • Mr Nairn: There are some issues for clearance of ballast water due to change in wording in the Biosecurity Act. It would be useful if the department could release advice to clarify the discharge of ballast water as the wording is legally correct but hard to understand.
  • Mr Lovell: It was positive to note that the department has ceased the use of department stamps.
  • Mr O’Hagan: The assessment tool for First Points of Entry is very useful however the delineation of First Point of Entry versus Port of Entry continues to confuse industry.

Ms MacDonald advised that the department is working on the coordination of the goods determination and will provide members with the consultation process on the goods determination.

Action item: Ms MacDonald to provide DCCC members with the consultation process on the goods determination.

Agenda Item 4 – Cost Recovery

Mr Menegazzo provided an update via phone. Overall revenue is in line with expectations. Expenses are less than expected due to adjustments to depreciation and employee leave entitlements. Invoices will be sent out within the new two weeks accompanied with an explanatory letter. It is expected that financial reports will be published on a quarterly basis on the department’s website.

Mr Nairn asked if industry could receive more specific information about the surplus position. Mr Menegazzo advised that department is working on the detail of these and will be able to provide these to industry.

A number of members raised issues around the annual Approved Arrangements application and assessment fee, and the impact on small stand-alone business versus larger multi-national entities. The department agreed to provide members with the basis and methodology behind the Approved Arrangements cost recovery fee.

Action item: Mr Menegazzo to provide DCCC members with the basis and methodology behind the Approved Arrangements cost recovery fee.

Agenda Item 5 – Compliance Updates

5.1 Imported Machinery

Ms Hutchison advised with the new biosecurity legislation there is no longer a requirement for permits to be issued for importing used machinery. As a result, the department will soon commence engaging and consulting with industry on imported machinery to identify opportunities for onshore cleaning of used machinery that is relatively clean. Mr Chambers noted that increasing importer awareness on this commodity is important. Ms Vivian noted that the department would also be utilising the overseas counsellor network to help drive awareness from country of origin. Ms Bryant raised that this should also be looked at from a state perspective.

5.2 Compliance Reports

Mr Lieschke provided an update on the compliance reports. Reports were consistent with trends over time. Ms Bryant raised the issue of managing emerging trends with non-compliance. The committee agreed these continue to be managed through feedback from industry partners and working together to identify new trends with feedback to be provided to the DCCC secretariat.

Members raised the issue for the reports to be made available to broader industry members. Ms Vivian agreed that the department will review the content before providing these to DCCC members for broader distribution.

5.3 Compliance Plan

At the March 2016 DCCC meeting members were advised a compliance plan would be drafted detailing areas the department will target and what the department is interested in.
Mr Lieschke provided a draft Compliance Plan to members to review and provide feedback. Members requested for a soft copy of the plan so they could provide comments back to the DCCC secretariat.

Action item: DCCC secretariat to distribute the draft Compliance Plan electronically for members to provide comment by 19 August 2016.

5.4 Cargo Compliance Verification (CCV) Expansion

Mr Lieschke provided an updated on the proposed expansion of CCV to air cargo.
Mr Chambers asked about the process when a consignment is flagged for CCV and whether this would mean delays to the clearance process and requirements to book for inspections.
Mr Lieschke noted these concerns and agreed to provide further details.

5.5 Approved Arrangements

Ms Cleland provided an update on approved arrangements and the transition of QAPs and compliance agreements under the Biosecurity Act. The next focus is looking for opportunities under the biosecurity legislation to identify efficiencies with arrangements where possible. Of particular note, there were 2608 applications for QAPs transitioning to Approved Arrangements, only 28 required a closer look under the fit and proper persons assessment, which indicates good compliance by industry partners. Ms Vivian noted that the department is continuing to develop pilot arrangements and working with other government departments on industry arrangements including the Australian Trusted Trader programme and Known Consignor Scheme.

5.6 Export Regulation Review

Mr Southwell provided an overview of the export regulation review. Most significantly this work will simplify the agriculture export legislation framework to meet various commodities by streamlining arrangements. Mr Southwell requested for members to provide feedback on how they would like to be consulted as part of this work.

Mr Southwell provided members with a factsheet to the export regulation review and also agreed to provide members with the presentation.

Action item: DCCC Secretariat to distribute the presentation provided by Mr Southwell and link to the factsheet

5.7 Automatic Entry Processing (AEP) Reform Project Discussion Paper

Mr Lieschke provided members with a draft discussion paper on AEP Reform. Members were requested to provide feedback to the DCCC secretariat.

Action item: DCCC secretariat to distribute the AEP Reform Project Discussion electronically for members to provide comment by 19 August 2016.

Agenda Item 6 – DCCC Work Plan

The DCCC work plan was provided to members to note updates.

Agenda Item 7 – Other Business

7.1 BICON

Mr Gill provided an update via phone. BICON was introduced in August 2015 as a pilot and has now been implemented for nearly a full year. There have been a number of improvements since, with a major enhancement on permit assessment released today. This is expected to result in quicker issuance of permits once bedded in. The department continues to work closely with industry and has scheduled a post-implementation review in October 2016 which will be conducted by external consultants.

Agenda Item 11 – Next Meetings

Ms Vivian advised the next meeting is scheduled in Sydney on 16 November, however due to other commitments will need to confirm this date. The DCCC secretariat will contact members for an alternate date.

Ms Vivian thanked members for their contribution and advised the tour of the PEQ facility would commence after the meeting.

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