EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

STOCK ORDINANCE 1957.

No. 6 of 1957

	This amendment is designed to increase the maximum stock rates that may be levied in the A.C.T. to a level comparable with those payable in the adjoining areas of New South Wales.

	Until about 1950 it was the practice in the A.C.T. to determine the stock rates to be levied on live stock in the Territory at a level comparable with the rates levied in nearby Pastures Protection Board areas in New South Wales.  However, during the last few years, the maximum rates chargeable under state legislation in New South Wales have been increased quite considerably to provide for the rising costs of stock services, but there has been no corresponding increase in the rates levied in the A.C.T.

	The result is that during the past couple of years stock rates payable in the P.P.Board areas adjoining the A.C.T. have averaged 1/1½d for large stock and one penny and  of a penny for sheep, whereas the maximum permissible under the A.C.T. Stock Ordinance has been 4d. and 2/3rds of a penny respectively.

	This proposed amendment will increase the maximum rate that may be levied by the Minister in the A.C.T. to 3/- per head for large stock and 1½d per head for sheep.