Customs Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1970 No. 104, made under the Customs Act 1901-1968, was enacted to amend the Customs Regulations by adjusting the fees payable to members of a committee, excluding those who are officers of the Public Service of the Commonwealth. The regulation was enacted by the Governor-General, Paul Hasluck, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The policy objective behind these amendments was to ensure that the compensation for committee members' time is appropriate and reflects the duration of their meetings, thereby maintaining fairness and efficiency in the administration of customs-related matters. This regulation specifically addresses the issue of updating fee structures to better align with the actual time commitment required by committee members, particularly in cases where meetings are shorter than three hours. The amendment also includes a revision of the fee structure for shorter meetings, setting the fee at a reduced rate for both the Chairman and other members, thereby reflecting the reduced time commitment.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument amends Regulation 161 of the Customs Regulations under the Customs Act 1901-1968. It applies specifically to members of a Committee who are not officers of the Public Service of the Commonwealth, setting out revised fees payable to such members for their attendance at committee meetings. The fees differ based on the duration of the meeting and the member's role within the committee, with a higher rate for the Chairman and a reduced rate for shorter meetings. The amendment reflects changes to the financial compensation for committee members' time, providing clarity on the fees applicable in different circumstances. The amendment does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, but it is understood to apply broadly to all relevant committee members within the scope of the Customs Act 1901-1968.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this regulation, as per Statutory Rule 1970 No. 104, focus on amending the fee structure for committee members under the Customs Regulations. Specifically, Section (1.) modifies the daily attendance fees for members of a committee, excluding those who are officers of the Public Service of the Commonwealth. The Chairman of the committee is now required to be paid forty-five dollars per day, whereas other members receive forty dollars per day. Section (1a.) addresses scenarios where a committee meeting lasts less than three hours, in which case the Chairman is to be paid twenty-five dollars and other members twenty dollars for that day's attendance. Moreover, Section (2.) adjusts the fee for shorter meetings, replacing the previous amount of ten dollars and fifty cents with a new amount of twenty-one dollars. The obligations and requirements imposed by this regulation primarily concern the financial compensation for committee members' attendance. The regulation ensures that committee members, excluding public service officers, receive appropriate remuneration for their time and effort in attending meetings. This includes differentiating between the Chairman's fee and that of other members, as well as adjusting the fees based on the duration of the meeting. These provisions necessitate that the Customs Department or the relevant authority accurately records and compensates the committee members according to the specified rates, ensuring that they are fairly rewarded for their participation. Any breaches of the provisions outlined in this regulation could potentially lead to administrative or legal consequences. Although specific penalties are not explicitly stated in the regulation, failure to adhere to the stipulated fee structures could result in disputes over payments, which might then be subject to resolution through administrative review or legal action. The implications could range from financial discrepancies to potential audits and investigations into the compliance of the Customs Department with the regulation, leading to corrective measures or legal penalties if discrepancies are found.