What this does: This document cancels a special tax break (called a tariff concession) that previously allowed certain industrial equipment to be imported into Australia at a lower customs duty rate.
What's affected: Specifically, it targets "tailings thickening and stacking plant" — heavy machinery used in mining operations to process and store waste material (tailings). The equipment includes belt filters, tanks, hoppers, mixers, pumps, thickeners, feed boxes, receivers, and agitators, classified under tariff code 8421.21.90.
When it takes effect: The cancellation applies from 27 July 2011. From that date, anyone importing this equipment must pay the standard duty rate instead of the reduced rate that was available under the old concession (Order 0812997, made in September 2008).
Why it matters: If you're a mining company or supplier importing this specific type of processing equipment, this makes your imports more expensive because you lose the duty discount.