55Application of money

55 Application of money

Payment of Commonwealth costs (1) If Plant Health Australia receives payments under section 54, Plant Health Australia must apply the payments in making a payment to the Commonwealth of amounts equal to the Commonwealth’s costs in: (a) collecting or recovering the amounts covered by paragraphs 54(1)(a), (b) and (c); and (b) administering section 54 in relation to the making of the payments to Plant Health Australia under that section. (2) The Secretary must give Plant Health Australia written notice of: (a) the amount of those costs; and (b) the period within which Plant Health Australia must pay the amount under subsection (1). Debt (3) If an amount payable by Plant Health Australia under subsection (1) remains unpaid at the end of that period, the amount: (a) is a debt due to the Commonwealth; and (b) may be recovered by the Minister, on behalf of the Commonwealth, by action in a court of competent jurisdiction. Activities promoting or maintaining health of plants, animals, fungi or algae (4) If Plant Health Australia receives payments under section 54, Plant Health Australia may apply the payments, consistent with its constitution, on: (a) activities, including biosecurity activities, relating to the promotion or maintenance of the health of plants, animals, fungi or algae; or (b) activities incidental to activities covered by paragraph (a).