4‑23 Preliminary allocation4‑23 Preliminary allocation

#### 4‑23 Preliminary allocation (1) As soon as practicable after receiving an application under subsection 4‑22(1) for meat inspection services to be allocated to an establishment, the Secretary must make a preliminary allocation of meat inspection services to the establishment by determining: (a) the number of meat inspection positions to be allocated to the establishment; and (b) the number of hours (or part thereof) that each position is allocated to carry out meat inspection services at the establishment. (2) In determining the preliminary allocation of meat inspection services to the establishment, the Secretary must have regard to the following: (a) the overall requirements of the industry for meat inspection services; (b) Australia’s international obligations; (c) any staffing formula agreed to by the Department and the relevant union or unions of Commonwealth authorised officers; (d) the availability of Commonwealth authorised officers to carry out meat inspection services; (e) management practices at the establishment in relation to meat inspection services; (f) the need to protect the health and safety of Commonwealth authorised officers while they are carrying out their duties in or around the establishment; (g) the construction of the establishment; (h) the intended operations of the establishment; (i) any importing country requirement for a Commonwealth authorised officer to be present at the establishment while a meat inspection service is being carried out. (3) A preliminary allocation under subsection (1) may be that zero meat inspection positions and hours are allocated to an establishment. (4) Meat inspection services may be allocated to the establishment on any of the following bases, or on any combination of them: (a) an annual basis; (b) a monthly basis; (c) a weekly basis; (d) a daily basis; (e) an hourly basis.