Dried Vine Fruits Contributory Charges (Collection) Act 1964

Payment deadlines: The final charge must be paid within 7 days of the official rate notice being published. Provisional charges must be paid within 30 days of the fruit being received for packing (or the notice being published, whichever is later).

Late payment penalty: If a charge isn't paid on time, a 10% per annum penalty (extra amount calculated as a percentage over time, like interest) applies automatically. The Minister can waive this in appropriate cases.

Debt recovery: Unpaid charges are treated as a debt owed to the Commonwealth (the Australian government) and can be recovered in court. Notably, the government's own statement of the amount owed counts as evidence in court — the burden effectively shifts to the person being sued to dispute it.

Garnishment powers (the ability to redirect money): The Secretary can order a third party — say, a bank or a business that owes money to a packer — to pay that money directly to the Commonwealth instead. This is a powerful debt-collection tool.

Packers can recover from growers: If a packer pays the charge, they are legally entitled to claim that amount back from the grower as a debt.

Compliance and record-keeping: Packers must keep detailed books and accounts. Government-authorised officers have the right to access buildings, books, and documents at any time. Providing false information or obstructing officers is a criminal offence.

Refund protection: If a charge has been overpaid, it must be refunded — but a packer only gets a refund if they haven't already recouped the money from the grower (or have paid it back to the grower).