Export Wheat Commission

The Export Wheat Commission (EWC) was a statutory authority of the Australian government. The EWC was established on 1 October 2007 and superseded the Wheat Export Authority (WEA). The EWC was a statutory commission operating under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.

The EWC’s role was determined by the Wheat Marketing Act 1989 (the Act) and its operations were funded from three sources:

1. Wheat Export Charge In June 2003, the Wheat Marketing Act 1989 was amended to make provision for the introduction of a Wheat Export Charge (WEC) on all Australian wheat exports. The WEC came into effect by regulation on 1 October 2003 and was set at 22 cents per tonne. It remained at that level during the reporting period. Income provided by the WEC for the EWC in 2007–08 was AUD1,191 million (representing 33% of total funding requirements) compared with AUD2.208 million (61%) in 2006–07, and AUD3.321 million (97%) in 2005–06. The Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Regulations 2000, made under the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999, provided for the collection of the WEC. The WEC was collected by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Levy and Revenue Service which charged the EWC for the administration of its collection and disbursement and exporter payment compliance. This service cost AUD1,660 per month in 2007–08, compared with AUD1,830 per month in 2006–07 and AUD2,080 in 2005–06.

2. Export Application Fee In August 2003, an amendment to the Wheat Marketing Regulations 1990 established a AUD50 fee on all export consent applications. This made up a minor proportion of EWC income. During 2007–08 export application fees amounted to AUD950, compared to AUD15,000 in both 2006–07 and 2005–06.

3. Additional Funding As income through the WEC was significantly reduced due to the drought and reduced wheat exports in 2006–07, the Government provided a grant of AUD2 million in September 2007 to allow the agency to continue operating until 31 March 2008. This grant covered ongoing operational costs and the transition from the former Wheat Export Authority to the EWC. The EWC’s financial position was transferred to Wheat Exports Australia on 1 July 2008 under the Wheat Export Marketing Act 2008.

The EWC facilitated the operations of Australia’s legislated wheat export arrangements and informed Government and growers of outcomes.

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