Apple and Pear Stabilization Amendment Act 1976

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APPLE AND PEAR STABILIZATION

AMENDMENT ACT 1976

No. 44 of 1976

An Act to amend the Apple and Pear Stabilization Act 1971-1973.

BE IT ENACTED by the Queen, and the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Apple and Pear Stabilization Amendment Act 1976.

(2) The Apple and Pear Stabilization Act 1971-1973 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Apple and Pear Stabilization Act 1971-1976.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

Interpretation.

3. Section 3 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from sub-section (1) the definition of “reputed bushel” and substituting the following definition: —

“‘reputed box’ means—

(a) in relation to apples—18.14 kilograms; and

(b) in relation to pears—20.41 kilograms;”.

Seasons to which Act applies.

4. Section 5 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from sub-section (1) the words “the first day of October, One thousand nine hundred and seventy, and to each of the next four succeeding seasons” and substituting the words “1 October 1970 and to each of the next 5 succeeding seasons”.

Stabilization payment.

5. Section 10 of the Principal Act is amended by adding at the end thereof the following sub-section:—

“(4) A stabilization payment is not payable on the exportation of fruit during the season that commenced on 1 October 1975 unless—

(a) in the case of apples, the fruit is or was exported to a country in Europe (including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland); or

(b) in the case of pears, the fruit is or was exported to a country in Europe (including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), the United States of America or Canada.”.

Rate of a stabilization payment.

6. Section 11 of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-section (2) the words “during the season referred to in the next succeeding sub-section” and substituting the words “during a season referred to in sub-section (2a), (2b) or(2c)”; and

(b) by inserting after sub-section (2a) the following sub-sections:—

“(2b) The rate of a stabilization payment in respect of apples picked during the season that commenced on 1 October 1975 shall not exceed an amount per reputed box, or part of a reputed box, in each container of apples equal to—

(a) $2; or

(b) a number of dollars equal to the product of 2 and 2,000,000 divided by a number equal to the number of reputed boxes of apples picked during that season and—

(i) exported (whether before or after the commencement of this sub-section) on consignment to a country in Europe (including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) during that season; and

(ii) sold after exportation and before the end of that season,

whichever is the lesser amount.

“(2c) The rate of a stabilization payment in respect of pears picked during the season that commenced on 1 October 1975 shall not exceed an amount per reputed box, or part of a reputed box, in each container of pears equal to—

(a) 80 cents; or

(b) a number of cents equal to the product of 80 and 1,400,000 divided by a number equal to the number of reputed boxes of pears picked during that season and—

(ii) sold after exportation and before the end of that season,

whichever is the lesser amount.”.

Additional amendments.

7. The Principal Act is amended as set out in the Schedule.

______________

SCHEDULE Section 7

ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS

1. The following provisions of the Principal Act are amended by omitting the words “of this Act” and “of this section” (wherever occurring): —

Sections 3(1) (definitions of “average export return”, “stabilization fund”, “stabilization payment” and “support price”), 6(4), (6) and (7), 17(2), (3), (9) and (10) and 22(4) and (5).

2. The following provisions of the Principal Act are amended by omitting the words “reputed bushel” (wherever occurring) and substituting the words “reputed box”:—

Sections 3(1) (definitions of “average export return” and “support price”), 3 (4), 6(1), (2) and (4), 7(1) and (2) and 11.

3. The Act is further amended as set out in the following table:—

Provision	Amendment
Sub-section 3(2)................	Omit “the First Schedule” (wherever occurring), substitute
	“Schedule 1”.
Sub-section 3(5)................	Omit the sub-section.
Sub-section 5(2)................	Omit “the first day of October”, substitute “1 October”.
Sub-section 7(1)................	(a) Omit “the first day of October, One thousand nine
	hundred and seventy,”, substitute “1 October 1970”.

	(b) Omit “the Second Schedule”, substitute “Schedule 2”.
Sub-section 8(1)................	Omit “the First Schedule”, substitute “Schedule 1”.
Sub-section 9(1)................	Omit “the First Schedule”, substitute “Schedule 1”.
Paragraph 11(2)(a)..............	Omit “Eighty”, substitute “80”.
Paragraph 11(2a)...............	Omit “the first day of October, One thousand nine hundred
	and seventy-one,”, substitute “1 October 1971”,
Paragraph 11(2a)(a).............	Omit “Eighty”, substitute “80”.
Sub-section 15(4)...............	Omit “of this Act” (first occurring).
Paragraph 15(4)(a)..............	Omit “of this section”.
Sub-section 16(1)...............	Omit “the First Schedule”, substitute “Schedule 1”,
Sub-section 17(1)...............	Omit “the First Schedule”, substitute “Schedule 1”.
Section 20....................	Omit “Two hundred dollars”, substitute “$200”.
Sub-section 21(1)...............	Omit “One thousand dollars”, substitute “$1,000”.
Sub-section 22(5)...............	Omit “Two hundred dollars”, substitute “$200”.
Sub-section 23(1)...............	Omit “Two hundred dollars”, substitute “$200”.
Paragraph 24(c)................	Omit “Two hundred dollars”, substitute “$200”.
Heading to Schedules	(a) Omit “FIRST SCHEDULE”, substitute “SCHEDULE 1
	(b) Omit “SECOND SCHEDULE”, substitute “SCHEDULE 2”.

Overview

The Apple and Pear Stabilization Amendment Act 1976, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia's Parliament, amends the Apple and Pear Stabilization Act 1971-1973 to address the need for updates to the stabilization measures for apple and pear producers. The Act introduces amendments to ensure the continued effectiveness and relevance of the stabilization scheme in response to changing market conditions and operational requirements. By updating definitions, adjusting the scope of seasons covered, and modifying payment criteria and rates, the Act aims to provide a stable income for apple and pear growers, ensuring their financial security and the continued viability of the fruit industry. The enacting body for this amendment is the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the policy objective is to maintain stability within the apple and pear production sector by providing financial support to producers during periods of market fluctuation. Through these amendments, the Act seeks to ensure that the stabilization payments remain a relevant and effective tool for supporting the industry, adapting to the economic and logistical changes that have occurred since the original Act was passed.

Scope and Application

The Apple and Pear Stabilization Amendment Act 1976 amends the Apple and Pear Stabilization Act 1971-1973, applying to the apple and pear industries in Australia, specifically targeting entities involved in the production, export, and sale of these fruits. This Act applies to the seasons commencing from 1 October 1970 and extends to each of the next five succeeding seasons. It specifically excludes stabilization payments for the export of fruit during the season that began on 1 October 1975 unless the fruit is exported to certain countries in Europe, the United States of America, or Canada. The Act also modifies definitions, such as changing “reputed bushel” to “reputed box” and updates various references and monetary values throughout the Principal Act. The amendment further refines the conditions and rates of stabilization payments, ensuring compliance with the updated parameters. The Act's application may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, although no such instruments are mentioned in the provided text.

Key Provisions

The Apple and Pear Stabilization Amendment Act 1976 amends the Apple and Pear Stabilization Act 1971-1973. Section 3 of the Principal Act redefines "reputed box" to mean 18.14 kilograms for apples and 20.41 kilograms for pears. The Act extends its applicability to the five seasons starting from 1 October 1970, as stated in Section 4. Section 5 specifies that stabilization payments for the 1975 season are only payable if the fruit was exported to Europe (including the United Kingdom), the United States, or Canada. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved, primarily concerning the calculation and payment of stabilization payments. These payments are contingent upon the export of fruit to specific countries, as outlined in Section 5. The rate of these payments is subject to a cap, calculated based on the number of boxes exported and sold before the season's end, as detailed in Sections 6(2b) and 6(2c). Under this Act, failure to comply with the specified conditions for stabilization payments can lead to penalties. Although the exact penalties are not specified in the text, it is common for breaches of agricultural stabilization acts to result in fines or other financial penalties. The severity of these penalties would typically depend on the extent and nature of the breach, as well as any previous violations. For other non-compliance related to the Act, Section 20 mentions a penalty of $200, which may apply if certain conditions are not met.

Area of Law: Commercial Law
Instrument: Act
Concepts: Commencement Provisions; Repeal & Amendment; Definitions & Interpretation; Regulatory Standards

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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