EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
STATUTORY RULES 1988 NO. 179
ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE, CUSTOMS AND SMALL BUSINESS
Section 30A of the Customs Act 1901 (the Act) enables the Comptroller-General of Customs to exempt certain classes of persons, vessels and goods from the provisions of the Act, pursuant to the Torres Strait Treaty of 1978.
Such exemptions may be granted either under subsection 30A(3), by means of a Gazette notice, or under subsection 30A(5), which provides for individual exemptions for individual applicants in respect of a particular voyage or flight.
As far as subsection 30A(5) exemptions are concerned, subsection 30A(4) requires the master of the ship or pilot of the aircraft to make an application in writing to the Comptroller-General, setting out such information as is prescribed.
These Statutory Rules prescribe the information which is considered necessary to enable the Comptroller-General to determine whether or not to grant an exemption. This information includes details in relation to the actual ship or aircraft which will be used, the itinerary of the voyage or flight, and particulars relating to the traditional inhabitants of the Torres Strait zone, crew and other passengers who will be undertaking the trip.