{"id":"rural-assistance-schemes-act-2016","name":"Rural Assistance Schemes Act 2016","slug":"rural-assistance-schemes-act-2016","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173530,"registerId":"vic-rural-assistance-schemes-act-2016-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Rural Assistance Schemes Act 2016","content":"Version No. 005\n\n**Rural Assistance Schemes Act 2016**\n\n**No. 39 of 2016**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n22 October 2025\n\n**TABLE OF PROVISIONS**\n\n*Section Page*\n\nPart 1—Preliminary 1\n\n1 Purpose 1\n\n2 Commencement 1\n\n3 Definitions 1\n\nPart 2—Rural Assistance Commissioner 3\n\n4 Rural Assistance Commissioner 3\n\n5 Official seal 3\n\n6 Rural Assistance Commissioner represents the Crown 3\n\n7 Object of the Rural Assistance Commissioner 4\n\n8 Functions of the Rural Assistance Commissioner 4\n\n9 Powers of the Rural Assistance Commissioner 4\n\n10 Directions 5\n\n11 Delegation by the Rural Assistance Commissioner 6\n\n12 Appointment of Member 7\n\n13 Conditions of office, resignation, removal from office if Member not public service employee 8\n\n14 Validity of acts or decisions 8\n\nPart 3—Transfer from Corporation to Rural Assistance Commissioner 10\n\n15 Provisions to prevail 10\n\n16 Dissolution of the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria 10\n\n17 Rural Assistance Commissioner is successor in law of the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria 10\n\n18 Vesting of property and rights subject to encumbrances 11\n\n19 Substitution of Rural Assistance Commissioner for Corporation in agreements 11\n\n20 Proceedings 12\n\n21 Interests in land 12\n\n22 Easements 12\n\n23 Amendment of Register 13\n\n24 Taxes 13\n\n25 Evidence 13\n\n26 Substitution of Minister for Treasurer in Agreements 14\n\n27 Validity of things done under this Part 15\n\nPart 4—General 16\n\n28 Regulations 16\n\n═══════════════\n\nEndnotes 17\n\n1 General information 17\n\n2 Table of Amendments 19\n\n3 Explanatory details 20\n\n**Version No.** **005**\n\n**Rural Assistance Schemes Act 2016**\n\n**No. 39 of 2016**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n22 October 2025\n\n**The Parliament of Victoria enacts:**\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n\t1 Purpose\n\nThe main purpose of this Act is to improve the administration of rural assistance schemes by—\n\n(a) establishing the Rural Assistance Commissioner; and\n\n(b) transferring the remaining assets, liabilities and functions of the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria  to the Rural Assistance Commissioner; and\n\n(c) winding up the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria; and\n\n(d) repealing the **Rural Finance Act 1988** and the **Young Farmers' Finance Council Act 1979**.\n\n\t2 Commencement\n\nThis Act comes into operation on 30 June 2016.\n\n\t3 Definitions\n\nIn this Act—\n\n***Corporation*** means the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria established under section 4 of the **Rural Finance Act 1988**;\n\n***Department*** has the same meaning as in the **Public Administration Act 2004**;\n\n***Department Head*** has the same meaning as in the **Public Administration Act 2004**;\n\n***former Corporation property*** means property, rights or liabilities of the Corporation that, under Part 3, have vested in, or become liabilities of, the Rural Assistance Commissioner;\n\n***liabilities*** means all liabilities, duties and obligations, whether actual, contingent or prospective;\n\n***Member*** means the person appointed under section 12;\n\n***property*** means any legal or equitable estate or interest (whether present or future and whether vested or contingent) in any real or personal property of any description;\n\n***rights*** means all rights, powers, privileges and immunities, whether actual, contingent or prospective;\n\n***rural assistance scheme*** means a Commonwealth or State scheme to assist, promote or develop rural and regional industries and communities;\n\nS. 3 def. of *Secretary* amended by Nos 22/2022 s. 165, 41/2025 s. 4(Sch. 2 item 24.1).\n\n***Secretary*** means the Secretary, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.\n\nPart 2—Rural Assistance Commissioner\n\n\t4 Rural Assistance Commissioner\n\n(1) The Rural Assistance Commissioner is established.\n\n(2) The Rural Assistance Commissioner consists of the Member.\n\n(3) The Rural Assistance Commissioner—\n\n(a) is a body corporate with perpetual succession; and\n\n(b) has an official seal; and\n\n(c) may sue and be sued; and\n\n(d) may acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property; and\n\n(e) may do and suffer all things that a body corporate may by law do and suffer.\n\n\t5 Official seal\n\n(1) The official seal of the Rural Assistance Commissioner must—\n\n(a) be kept in such custody as the Rural Assistance Commissioner directs; and\n\n(b) not be used except as authorised by the Rural Assistance Commissioner.\n\n(2) All courts must take judicial notice of the official seal of the Rural Assistance Commissioner affixed to any document.\n\n\t6 Rural Assistance Commissioner represents the Crown\n\nIn performing its functions and exercising its powers, the Rural Assistance Commissioner represents the Crown.\n\n\t7 Object of the Rural Assistance Commissioner\n\nThe object of the Rural Assistance Commissioner is to administer, facilitate and provide services and advice in relation to rural assistance schemes.\n\n\t8 Functions of the Rural Assistance Commissioner\n\nThe Rural Assistance Commissioner has the following functions under this Act—\n\n(a) to administer and facilitate rural assistance schemes;\n\n(b) to bring together and coordinate financial resources for investment in rural and regional industries;\n\n(c) to provide services and advice to government with regard to rural and regional industries and affairs.\n\n\t9 Powers of the Rural Assistance Commissioner\n\n(1) In addition to the powers expressly conferred by this Act, the Rural Assistance Commissioner has the power to do all things necessary and convenient for the performance of its functions under this Act.\n\n(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Rural Assistance Commissioner may—\n\n(a) acquire, hold or dispose of real or personal property; and\n\n(b) enter into any agreement or contract; and\n\n(c) enter into any lease or licence; and\n\n(d) subscribe for or otherwise acquire, and hold and dispose of, shares in, or debentures or other securities of, a corporation; and\n\n(e) give indemnities, guarantees, releases and charges, and anything else of a similar nature; and\n\n(f) acquire (whether by creation, lease, licence, receiving the assignment or grant of, or otherwise), hold, accept as a security, or otherwise deal with, any intellectual property right (for example, a trade mark, patent, design, copyright (including an associated moral right), plant breeder's right, circuit layout right, trade secret, or right arising from confidential information); and\n\n(g) assign, grant, lease, license, sell, mortgage, use as a security, or otherwise encumber or dispose of, any intellectual property right; and\n\n(h) seek any remedy in relation to, or do anything necessary to enforce, protect, maintain, register or exploit, any intellectual property right; and\n\n(i) seek any remedy in relation to, or do anything necessary to enforce, protect, maintain or exploit any Crown copyright; and\n\n(j) engage consultants, contractors or agents; and\n\n(k) act as trustee; and\n\n(l) act as an agent of another person.\n\n\t10 Directions\n\n(1) In the exercise of its powers and the performance of its functions the Rural Assistance Commissioner is subject to the direction and control of the Minister.\n\n(2) If the Member is not the Secretary, the Rural Assistance Commissioner—\n\n(a) is subject to the specific direction of the Minister; and\n\n(b) must perform its functions and exercise its powers under the general direction and control of the Secretary.\n\n\t11 Delegation by the Rural Assistance Commissioner\n\nS. 11(1) amended by Nos 22/2022 s. 166(1), 41/2025 s. 4(Sch. 2 item 24.2).\n\n(1) The Rural Assistance Commissioner by instrument may delegate to any person employed in the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action any power, duty or function of the Rural Assistance Commissioner under this Act.\n\nS. 11(2) amended by Nos 22/2022 s. 166(2), 41/2025 s. 4(Sch. 2 item 24.2).\n\n(2) The Rural Assistance Commissioner by instrument may delegate to the Department Head of a Department other than the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action any power, duty or function of the Rural Assistance Commissioner under this Act if the delegation is first approved by—\n\n(a) the Minister; and\n\nS. 11(2)(b) substituted by No. 22/2022 s. 166(3).\n\n(b) the Minister administering the other Department or, if more than one Minister is responsible for that Department or for different parts of that Department, the Minister responsible for the relevant part of the other Department having regard to the power, duty or function that is proposed to be delegated; and\n\n(c) the Department Head of the other Department; and\n\n(d) if the Member is not the Secretary, the Secretary.\n\n(3) A Department Head to whom a power, duty or function is delegated under subsection (2) may delegate that power, duty or function to any person employed in the Department of that Department Head.\n\n(4) A delegation under this section may be made—\n\n(a) in relation to a person or class of persons specified in the instrument of delegation; or\n\n(b) in relation to the holder, or holder from time to time, of an office specified, or of each office in a class of offices specified, in the instrument of delegation.\n\n\t12 Appointment of Member\n\n(1) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister, by Order in Council published in the Government Gazette appoint a person to be the Member for a period not exceeding 5 years as specified in the Order in Council.\n\n(2) The Member holds office, subject to this Act, on such terms and conditions as are specified by the Order in Council.\n\n(3) If the Member is unable, whether because of illness, suspension, absence or otherwise, to perform the duties of the Rural Assistance Commissioner, the Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister, by Order in Council published in the Government Gazette appoint a person to act in the place of the Member during the period of the inability.\n\n(4) A person appointed under this section to act in the place of the Member, while so acting—\n\n(a) has all the rights and powers, and must perform all the duties, of the Member; and\n\n(b) is to be paid any remuneration and allowances fixed by the Order in Council, having regard to the rate of remuneration and allowances for the time being payable to the Member in the Member's capacity as Member.\n\n\t13 Conditions of office, resignation, removal from office if Member not public service employee\n\n(1) This section applies if a person who is not employed under Part 3 of the **Public Administration Act 2004** is appointed as the Member.\n\n(2) The Member is—\n\nS. 13(2)(a) amended by No. 22/2022 s. 167(1).\n\n(a) appointed on such terms, conditions, rate of remuneration and allowances as are specified in the Order in Council; and\n\nS. 13(2)(b) amended by No. 22/2022 s. 167(2).\n\n(b) is eligible for reappointment.\n\n(3) The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, at any time may remove or suspend the Member on any of the following grounds—\n\n(a) misconduct;\n\n(b) neglect of duty;\n\n(c) inability to perform the duties of the Member;\n\n(d) any other ground on which the Governor in Council is satisfied that the Member should not be the Member.\n\n(4) The Member may resign as Member by delivering a signed letter of resignation to the Minister.\n\n\t14 Validity of acts or decisions\n\nAn act or a decision of the Rural Assistance Commissioner is not invalid only—\n\n(a) because of a vacancy in the membership of the Rural Assistance Commissioner, including a vacancy arising from a failure to appoint the Member; or\n\n(b) because of a defect or irregularity in, or in connection with, the appointment of the Member or an acting Member; or\n\n(c) in the case of an acting Member, on the grounds that the occasion for the person to act had not arisen or had ceased.\n\nPart 3—Transfer from Corporation to Rural Assistance Commissioner\n\n\t15 Provisions to prevail\n\nThis Part applies despite anything to the contrary in the **State Owned Enterprises Act 1992** or any other Act making any provision in respect of the Corporation.\n\n\t16 Dissolution of the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria\n\nOn the commencement of this Act—\n\n(a) the Corporation is wound up; and\n\n(b) the Corporation's Board of Management is dissolved; and\n\n(c) the members of the Corporation's Board of Management go out of office; and\n\n(d) the following Orders made under the **State Owned Enterprises Act 1992** are revoked—\n\n(i) Declaration of Rural Finance Corporation as a Reorganising Body made on 6 May 2014 and published in the Government Gazette on 8 May 2014 (at page 898);\n\n(ii) Changes to the Constitution of the Board of Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria made on 14 April 2015 and published in the Government Gazette on 16 April 2015 (at page 812).\n\n\t17 Rural Assistance Commissioner is successor in law of the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria\n\nOn the commencement of this Act—\n\n(a) all property and rights of the Corporation vest in the Rural Assistance Commissioner; and\n\n(b) all liabilities of the Corporation become liabilities of the Rural Assistance Commissioner; and\n\n(c) the Rural Assistance Commissioner is the successor in law of the Corporation.\n\n\t18 Vesting of property and rights subject to encumbrances\n\nWhere, under this Part, property and rights vest in, or liabilities become liabilities of, the Rural Assistance Commissioner—\n\n(a) the property and rights so vested are subject to the encumbrances (if any) to which they were subject immediately before so vesting; and\n\n(b) the rights to which the Corporation was entitled in respect of those liabilities immediately before they ceased to be liabilities of the Corporation vest in the Rural Assistance Commissioner.\n\n\t19 Substitution of Rural Assistance Commissioner for Corporation in agreements\n\nWhere, under this Part, the rights or liabilities of the Corporation under an agreement vest in, or become liabilities of, the Rural Assistance Commissioner—\n\n(a) the Rural Assistance Commissioner is, on the commencement of this Act, a party to the agreement in place of the Corporation; and\n\n(b) on and from the commencement of this Act, the agreement has effect as if the Rural Assistance Commissioner had always been a party to the agreement.\n\n\t20 Proceedings\n\nIf, immediately before the commencement of this Act, proceedings relating to former Corporation property (including arbitration proceedings) to which the Corporation was a party were pending or existing in any court or tribunal, then on and after that commencement, the Rural Assistance Commissioner is substituted for the Corporation as a party to the proceedings and has the same rights in the proceedings as the Corporation had.\n\n\t21 Interests in land\n\nWithout limiting this Part and despite anything to the contrary in any other Act if, immediately before the commencement of this Act, the Corporation is, in relation to former Corporation property, the registered proprietor of an interest in land under the **Transfer of Land Act 1958**, then on and after that date—\n\n(a) the Rural Assistance Commissioner is taken to be the registered proprietor of that interest in land; and\n\n(b) the Rural Assistance Commissioner has the same rights and remedies in respect of that interest as the Corporation had.\n\n\t22 Easements\n\nIf the Rural Assistance Commissioner acquires any right in the nature of an easement (whether as a result of the operation of this Part or otherwise), that right must be taken to be an easement even though there is no land vested in the Rural Assistance Commissioner which is benefited or capable of being benefited by that right.\n\n\t23 Amendment of Register\n\nThe Registrar of Titles, on being requested to do so and on delivery of the relevant certificate of title or instrument, must make any amendments in the Register that are necessary because of the operation of this Part.\n\n\t24 Taxes\n\nNo stamp duty or other tax is chargeable under any Act in respect of anything effected by or done under this Part or in respect of any act or transaction connected with or necessary to be done by reason of this Part, including a transaction entered into or an instrument made, executed, lodged or given, for the purpose of, or connected with, the transfer of property, rights or liabilities of the Corporation.\n\n\t25 Evidence\n\n(1) Documentary or other evidence that would have been admissible for or against the interests of the Corporation in relation to former Corporation property if this Part had not been enacted is admissible for or against the interest of the Rural Assistance Commissioner.\n\n(2) The **Evidence Act 2008** applies with respect to the books of account of the Corporation and the entries made in those books of account before the commencement of this Act, whether or not they relate to the former Corporation property, as if those books of account and entries were business records.\n\n\t26 Substitution of Minister for Treasurer in Agreements\n\n(1) On and from the commencement of this Act—\n\n(a) a reference in the Non-Commercial Activities Services  Agreement to the Treasurer is taken to be a reference to the Minister; and\n\n(b) a reference in the Business Sale Agreement to the Treasurer is taken to be a reference to the Minister; and\n\n(c) each agreement referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) has effect as if the Minister had always been a party to the agreement.\n\n(2) In this section—\n\n***Business Sale Agreement*** means the agreement dated 15 May 2014 between the following parties—\n\n(a) the Treasurer on behalf of the State of Victoria;\n\n(b) the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria;\n\n(c) Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ACN 068 049 178;\n\n***Non-Commercial Activities Services Agreement*** means the agreement dated 1 July 2014 between the following parties—\n\n(a) the Treasurer on behalf of the State of Victoria;\n\n(b) the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria;\n\n(c) Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ACN 068 049 178.\n\n\t27 Validity of things done under this Part\n\n(1) Nothing effected or to be effected by this Part or done or suffered under this Part—\n\n(a) is to be regarded as placing any person in breach of contract or confidence or as otherwise making any person guilty of a civil wrong; or\n\n(b) is to be regarded as placing any person in breach of, or as constituting a default under, any Act or other law or obligation or any provision in any agreement, arrangement or understanding including, but not limited to, any provision or obligation prohibiting, restricting or regulating the assignment, transfer, sale or disposal of any property or the disclosure of any information; or\n\n(c) is to be regarded as fulfilling any condition that allows a person to exercise a power, right or remedy in respect of or to terminate any agreement or obligation; or\n\n(d) is to be regarded as giving rise to any remedy for a party to a contract or an instrument or as causing or permitting the termination of any contract or instrument because of a change in the beneficial or legal ownership of any asset, right or liability; or\n\n(e) is to be regarded as causing any contract or instrument to be void or otherwise unenforceable; or\n\n(f) is to be regarded as frustrating any contract; or\n\n(g) releases any surety or other obligor wholly or in part from any obligation.\n\n(2) In this section, ***Act*** does not include the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.\n\nPart 4—General\n\n\t28 Regulations\n\n(1) The Governor in Council may make regulations for or with respect to generally prescribing any matter or thing required or necessary to be prescribed to give effect to this Act.\n\n(2) The regulations—\n\n(a) may be of general or limited application; and\n\n(b) may leave matters to be determined or approved by the Rural Assistance Commissioner; and\n\n(c) may differ according to differences in time, place or circumstances.\n\nS. 29 expired by force of No. 39/2016 s. 29(4).\n\n* * * * *\n\nPt 5 (Headings and ss 30–34) repealed by No. 39/2016 s. 34.\n\n* * * * *\n\n ═══════════════\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\n*Minister's second reading speech—*\n\nLegislative Assembly: 25 May 2016\n\nLegislative Council: 9 June 2016\n\nThe long title for the Bill for this Act was \"A Bill for an Act to improve the administration of rural assistance schemes by establishing the Rural Assistance Commissioner as successor to the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria and repealing the **Rural Finance Act 1988** and the **Young Farmers' Finance Council Act 1979** and for other purposes.\"\n\nThe **Rural Assistance Schemes Act 2016** was assented to on 28 June 2016 and came into operation on 30 June 2016: section 2.\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original section or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.  \nSee section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the **Rural Assistance Schemes Act 2016** by Acts and subordinate instruments.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n**Rural Assistance Schemes Act 2016, No. 39/2016**\n\n| Assent Date: | 28.6.16 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Ss 29(4), 34 on 30.6.16: s. 2 |\n| Note: | S. 34 repealed Pt 5 (ss 30–34) on 30.6.17; s. 29(4) provided that s. 29 expired on 30.6.18 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Rural Assistance Schemes Act 2016** |\n\n\n**Agriculture Legislation Amendment Act 2022, No. 22/2022**\n\n| Assent Date: | 15.6.22 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Ss 165–167 on 5.4.23: s. 2(2) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Rural Assistance Schemes Act 2016** |\n\n\n**Statute Law Revision Act 2025, No. 41/2025**\n\n| Assent Date: | 21.10.25 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 4(Sch. 2 item 24) on 22.10.25: s. 2 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Rural Assistance Schemes Act 2016** |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Explanatory details\n\nNo entries at date of publication.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act's core scope—establishing the Rural Assistance Commissioner and transferring the Rural Finance Corporation's assets, liabilities and functions to that Commissioner—remains unchanged (s 1; Part 3, ss 16–19). Subsequent amendments recorded in the Table of Amendments adjusted administrative and governance details (for example, the definition of Secretary and delegation/appointment mechanics: see s 3, s 11, s 13 and the Table of Amendments) but did not alter the Commissioner's object or primary functions (s 7–8)."},"complexity_factors":["Legal succession and vesting of assets, rights and liabilities from a statutory corporation to a new body corporate (ss 16–19, 21–23)","Preservation of existing encumbrances and substitution into existing agreements and proceedings (ss 18–20, 26)","Broad corporate powers including intellectual property, guarantees and shareholdings (s 9)","Ministerial direction and dual reporting depending on whether Member is Secretary (s 10)","Delegation mechanics requiring approvals from multiple Ministers/Department Heads and cascading delegations (s 11; amendments noted in Table of Amendments)","Transitional evidence and tax treatment provisions (ss 24–25)","Regulations may leave matters to the Commissioner and vary by time/place/circumstance (s 28)","Validity and non-impairment clauses protecting contracts and third parties from being treated as in breach due to the transfer (s 27)"],"plain_english_summary":"Creates the Rural Assistance Commissioner to take over the remaining assets, liabilities and functions of the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria, wind that corporation up, and repeal the Rural Finance Act 1988 and the Young Farmers' Finance Council Act 1979 (s1; Part 3).\n\nThe Commissioner will administer rural assistance schemes, may hold property, enter contracts and delegate powers to public servants (s8–11). The Minister directs the Commissioner (s10); transferred assets and liabilities become the Commissioner’s responsibility (s17–18) and transfers are exempt from stamp duty (s24)."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: establishing the Rural Assistance Commissioner as successor to the Rural Finance Corporation and winding up that Corporation. The amendments since 2016 have been minor administrative updates—changing the Department name from Environment, Land, Water and Planning to Energy, Environment and Climate Action (2022 and 2025 amendments)—without expanding the substantive scope beyond rural assistance scheme administration and corporate succession."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate cross-referencing to other Acts (Public Administration Act 2004, State Owned Enterprises Act 1992, Transfer of Land Act 1958, Evidence Act 2008, Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities)","8 defined terms in the interpretation section, including broad conceptual definitions like 'property' and 'rights' that cover present/future/vested/contingent interests","Nested conditional logic in delegation provisions (section 11) requiring multiple ministerial and departmental approvals for cross-department delegations","Complex succession provisions in Part 3 with multiple safeguards and 'despite anything to the contrary' clauses overriding other legislation","Specific transitional arrangements for two named commercial agreements (Non-Commercial Activities Services Agreement and Business Sale Agreement with Bendigo Bank)","Expired and repealed provisions (section 29, Part 5) still referenced in the text creating historical clutter","Dual control structure where Commissioner is subject to both Ministerial direction and Secretary direction depending on whether Member is the Secretary"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis Act creates a new government body called the **Rural Assistance Commissioner** and transfers all assets, debts, and legal responsibilities from the old **Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria** to this new body. It then winds up (closes down) the old Corporation and repeals two older laws that created it.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **Farmers and rural communities** who rely on government assistance schemes—the Commissioner now administers these programs\n- **Government departments** that work with rural assistance schemes\n- **Anyone who had contracts or legal dealings** with the old Rural Finance Corporation—these now transfer to the Commissioner automatically\n- **The Member** (the single person who makes up the Commissioner)—appointed by the Governor in Council for up to 5 years\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis is essentially a **corporate restructure** of how Victoria manages rural financial assistance. Instead of a separate government corporation (Rural Finance Corporation), the functions are now handled by a Commissioner—a simpler, more streamlined structure. The law ensures that:\n\n- All existing loans, contracts, and property dealings continue seamlessly\n- No one can claim a contract was broken just because the Corporation was dissolved\n- The new body can do everything the old one could (borrow money, hold property, sue or be sued, hold intellectual property rights)\n- The Commissioner operates under ministerial direction but has corporate powers\n\n**Key features:**\n\n- The Commissioner is a **body corporate** (a legal entity that can own property and enter contracts) but represents the Crown (government)\n- **Automatic transfer** of all assets and liabilities—no need to re-sign contracts or re-register land titles manually\n- **Tax exemptions** for the transfer—no stamp duty payable on the changeover\n- **Protection clauses** ensure the dissolution doesn't trigger contract terminations or legal claims\n- The Commissioner can delegate powers to public servants, with ministerial approval needed for delegations outside the primary Department"},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the limited text available, there is no evidence of scope change from original intent. The Act appears to operate as a consolidating or enabling framework consistent with its stated purpose of governing rural assistance schemes. The version history shows it has been consolidated, suggesting amendments have been made, but without full text it is not possible to confirm whether these materially altered the original scope."},"complexity_factors":["Insufficient legislative text provided — only metadata and version history visible, preventing full substantive analysis","Rural assistance schemes typically involve eligibility criteria with multiple conditions and exceptions","Interaction with Commonwealth rural assistance programs (e.g. Farm Household Allowance) may create jurisdictional complexity","Financial and administrative provisions in such Acts often involve delegated legislation (regulations made under the Act) that add layers of complexity","Scope of 'rural assistance' can be broad and may involve discretionary ministerial powers"],"plain_english_summary":"The Rural Assistance Schemes Act 2016 (Vic) provides a legal framework for the Victorian Government to run financial support programs for rural communities — mainly farmers, rural landowners and agricultural businesses. It authorises assistance such as concessional loans and hardship or disaster relief, sets rules for eligibility and distribution, and thereby gives both applicants and government a clear statutory basis for administering recovery and restructuring support."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/rural-assistance-schemes-act-2016","history":"/api/acts/rural-assistance-schemes-act-2016/history","analysis":"/api/acts/rural-assistance-schemes-act-2016/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/rural-assistance-schemes-act-2016/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/rural-assistance-schemes-act-2016/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/rural-assistance-schemes-act-2016/documents"}}