Bounty (Bed Sheeting) Amendment Act 1979

Overview

The Bounty (Bed Sheeting) Amendment Act 1979, enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, was introduced to amend the Bed Sheeting Bounty Act 1977. This legislation responds to the need for adjustments in the eligibility periods and financial provisions concerning the payment of bounties on bed sheeting manufactured and used in Australia. The primary objective of the Act is to modify specific sections of the original Act to better align with the economic and industrial context of the late 1970s, ensuring continued support for the bed sheeting industry while managing budgetary constraints. The Act seeks to refine the periods during which bounty is payable and the limits of the bounty available, ensuring a balanced approach to industry support.

Scope and Application

The Bounty (Bed Sheeting) Amendment Act 1979 applies to the payment of bounty on bed sheeting manufactured or used in Australia. It amends the Bounty (Bed Sheeting) Act 1977 by specifying the periods during which the bounty is payable, altering the limits of available bounty, and detailing the conditions under which the bounty can be claimed. This Act applies to manufacturers of bed sheeting and any other person involved in the making-up of bed linen in Australia. It has a national reach, being a Commonwealth Act, and applies across all states and territories in Australia. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but it is implied that only bed sheeting used in the making-up of bed linen in Australia during the specified periods is eligible for the bounty. The application of the Act can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which may provide further detail on the administration and enforcement of the bounty provisions.

Key Provisions

The Bounty (Bed Sheeting) Amendment Act 1979 introduces significant changes to the Bounty (Bed Sheeting) Act 1977. Firstly, it amends the period during which a bounty is payable. Under section 4, the original 12-month period commencing on 1 September 1976 is retained, but an additional 2-month period starting on 1 September 1977 is added. Furthermore, any subsequent 12-month period beginning on 1 November 1977 and thereafter are also recognised as qualifying periods for bounty payments, as per the amendment to section 4(1b) and section 4(3). The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties eligible to claim the bounty. For instance, section 5(3)(c) stipulates that the bed sheeting must be used in the manufacture of bed linen in Australia during the periods specified in section 4. The manufacturer of the bed sheeting completed before 27 September 1978, or another person in the case of other bed sheeting, must ensure that the bed sheeting is used within the specified timeframe to qualify for the bounty. Additionally, the bounty amount available for each qualifying period is determined by section 8, with $500,000 for the initial 12-month period, $83,300 for the 2-month period, and $600,000 for each subsequent 12-month period. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Bounty (Bed Sheeting) Amendment Act 1979 may result in penalties or other consequences. While the Act does not explicitly detail penalties, any breach of the conditions for bounty eligibility could lead to the denial of the bounty payment. This is inferred from the stringent requirements outlined in sections 4 and 5, which mandate precise adherence to the specified periods and conditions for bounty eligibility. The absence of explicit penalties in the Act suggests that the primary consequence of non-compliance is the forfeiture of the bounty, as the Act does not outline any criminal or civil penalties for breaches.