14Requirement to enter financial improvement agreement

14 Requirement to enter financial improvement agreement

(1) The Secretary may require a person to enter a financial improvement agreement if: (a) such an agreement is not already in force in relation to the person; and (b) either: (i) the person is receiving, or has made a claim for, farm household allowance; or (ii) the Department is contacted by or on behalf of the person in relation to a claim for farm household allowance. (2) The Secretary may require a person to enter into another financial improvement agreement if a financial improvement agreement is already in force in relation to the person.

Note: The earlier financial improvement agreement is cancelled in accordance with section 17.

Giving notice of requirement (3) The Secretary must give a person who is required to enter a financial improvement agreement written notice of: (a) the requirement; and (b) the places and times at which the agreement is to be negotiated; and (c) the period (of not more than 28 days) within which the person must comply with the notice; and (d) a description of consequences that may apply if the person does not comply with the notice.

Note: For the consequences that may apply if the person does not comply with the notice, see sections 71 and 72.

(4) The Secretary may, in writing, extend the period under paragraph (3)(c) once by no more than 28 days. Form of financial improvement agreement (5) A financial improvement agreement must be in a form approved by the Secretary.