Customs Act 1901

Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the question whether a financial contribution or income or price support confers a benefit is to be determined by the Minister having regard to all relevant information.

A direct financial payment received from any of the following is taken to confer a benefit:

a government of a country;

a public body of a country;

a public body of which a government of a country is a member;

a private body entrusted or directed by a government of a country or by such a public body to carry out a governmental function.

In determining whether a financial contribution confers a benefit, the Minister must have regard to the following guidelines:

the provision of equity capital from a government or body referred to in subsection (2) does not confer a benefit unless the decision to provide the capital is inconsistent with normal investment practice of private investors in the country concerned;

the making of a loan by a government or body referred to in subsection (2) does not confer a benefit unless the loan requires the enterprise receiving the loan to repay a lesser amount than would be required for a comparable commercial loan which the enterprise could actually obtain;

the guarantee of a loan by a government or body referred to in subsection (2) does not confer a benefit unless the enterprise receiving the guarantee is required to repay on the loan a lesser amount than would be required for a comparable commercial loan without that guarantee;

the provision of goods or services by a government or body referred to in subsection (2) does not confer a benefit unless the goods or services are provided for less than adequate remuneration;

the purchase of goods or services by a government or body referred to in subsection (2) does not confer a benefit unless the purchase is made for more than adequate remuneration.

For the purposes of paragraphs (3)(d) and (e), the adequacy of remuneration in relation to goods or services is to be determined having regard to prevailing market conditions for like goods or services in the country where those goods or services are provided or purchased.