Cattle and Beef Research Act (No. 2) 1960

Overview

The Cattle and Beef Research Act (No. 2) 1960 was enacted to amend the existing Cattle and Beef Research Act 1960, addressing a gap in the representation of stakeholders within the Australian Cattle and Beef Research Committee. The Act was passed by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, aiming to ensure that the committee's composition reflects the contemporary structure of the cattle and wool industries. By amending the original act, the legislation sought to update the representation on the committee, replacing the Graziers' Federal Council of Australia with the Australian Woolgrowers' and Graziers' Council, thereby aligning the committee with the current industry associations. The Act also ensures that any existing members of the committee appointed under the old structure continue to serve for the remainder of their term, maintaining continuity and stability within the committee during the transition.

Scope and Application

The Cattle and Beef Research (No. 2) Act 1960 amends the original Cattle and Beef Research Act 1960, focusing on modifications to the constitution of the Australian Cattle and Beef Research Committee. This Act applies to individuals and entities involved in the beef industry within the Commonwealth of Australia. It specifies the replacement of the "Graziers’ Federal Council of Australia" with the "Australian Woolgrowers’ and Graziers’ Council" in the composition of the Committee. The Act ensures continuity of service for those who were members of the committee prior to its amendment by allowing them to retain their positions for the remainder of their appointed terms. The Act came into operation on the day it received Royal Assent and does not introduce any exclusions or exemptions beyond those already provided for in the Principal Act.

Key Provisions

The Cattle and Beef Research (No. 2) Act 1960 primarily focuses on amendments to the Cattle and Beef Research Act 1960 (referred to as the Principal Act in the new Act). The most significant change is the replacement of the "Graziers’ Federal Council of Australia" with the "Australian Woolgrowers’ and Graziers’ Council" in the constitution of the Australian Cattle and Beef Research Committee (section 3). This Act ensures that any individuals who were serving on the Committee under the old framework will continue their service until the end of their appointed term, despite the changes introduced by this Act (section 4). The Act comes into effect on the day it receives Royal Assent (section 2). Under this Act, the obligations imposed on the parties and entities it governs include the requirement for the Australian Woolgrowers’ and Graziers’ Council to be represented on the Australian Cattle and Beef Research Committee. This representation ensures that the interests of woolgrowers and graziers are adequately considered in research initiatives and funding allocations. Furthermore, the Act ensures that existing committee members who were appointed under the previous framework will not have their terms disrupted by the amendments and will continue to serve until their terms naturally conclude. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act could lead to various consequences, although specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences are not detailed within the text of the Act itself. It is likely, however, that breaches of the provisions could be addressed under the broader legislative framework governing administrative law and public office, potentially including penalties for non-compliance with statutory duties or maladministration. The exact penalties would depend on the nature of the breach and the applicable laws at the time of the offence.