Dairy Produce Amendment Act 1978

Legislation au C2004A01895 Not in force Act

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DAIRY PRODUCE AMENDMENT ACT 1978

No. 96 of 1978

An Act to amend the Dairy Produce Act 1924.

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

Short title, &c.

1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Dairy Produce Amendment Act 1978.

(2) The Dairy Produce Act 1924 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

Commencement

2. This Act shall come into operation on 1 July 1978.

Pools for returns on export sales of dairy products

3. Section 20ab of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by inserting “, or of 2 or more particular kinds,” after “kind” in the definition of “pool” in sub-section (1);

(b) by inserting after the definition of “pool” in sub-section (1) the following definition:

“‘quota products’ means dairy products of a kind or kinds in respect of which quotas are determined for a production period under section 11a of the Dairy Industry Stabilization Act 1977;”;

(c) by inserting after sub-section (1) the following sub-section:

“(1a) For the purposes of this section, where dairy products are produced at a factory, by the proprietor of the factory on behalf of the proprietor of another factory, from milk or a constituent part or parts of milk supplied for the purpose by the proprietor of the other factory, the products shall be deemed to have been produced at that other factory.

(d) by inserting in sub-section (4) “, or for each of the dairy products,” after “dairy products” (first occurring);

(e) by inserting after sub-section (4) the following sub-section:

“(4a) The Corporation may, with the approval of the Minister, make to persons engaged in the production, storage, distribution, sale, export or promotion of dairy products payments to meet expenses incurred in the storage, distribution, sale, export or promotion of dairy products to which this section applies and, where any such payment is made, the amount of the payment shall be debited to the appropriate pool.”;

(f) by omitting sub-section (12) and substituting the following sub-sections:

“(12) Where the Corporation is satisfied that, apart from sub-sections (12a), (14), (15) and (16), no more amounts will be debited or credited to a pool maintained in respect of dairy products of a particular kind, or of 2 or more particular kinds, that are quota products, the Corporation shall—

(a) ascertain an amount (in this sub-section referred to as the ‘final pool return’) per tonne in relation to dairy products of that kind, or of those kinds, that were produced during the relevant production period (whether or not those dairy products subsequently became dairy products to which this section applies) by dividing the amount standing to the credit of the pool by the number of tonnes of dairy products of that kind, or of those kinds, that were produced during that production period; and

(b) pay to the proprietor of each factory at which dairy products of that kind, or of any of those kinds, were produced during that period the final pool return in respect of each tonne of dairy products of that kind, or of those kinds, produced at that factory during that production period that is in excess of the quota determined in respect of that kind, or of those kinds, of dairy products in relation to that factory for that production period under section 11a of the Dairy Industry Stabilization Act 1977.

 

“(12a) Where the Corporation is satisfied that, apart from sub-sections (14), (15) and (16), no more amounts will be credited or debited to a pool, the Corporation—

(a) may, with the approval of the Minister, where it considers it appropriate to do so, determine that the whole or any part of the amount standing to the credit of the pool be transferred to the credit of the separate account kept in respect of dairy products of the kind, or kinds, in respect of which the pool is maintained, or kept in respect of kinds of dairy products which include dairy products of that kind or any of those kinds, in the Dairy Products Stabilization Trust Fund established under the Dairy Industry Stabilization Act 1977; and

(b) shall divide the amount standing to the credit of the pool after any payments consequential upon a determination under paragraph (a) have been made among the proprietors of the factories at which dairy products of that kind, or of any of those kinds, were produced during the relevant production period (whether or not those dairy products subsequently became dairy products to which this section applies), being a division made on the basis of the quantity of dairy products of that kind, or of those kinds, produced at each factory during that period,

and the amount ascertained in accordance with paragraph (b) in relation to each factory is the final payment payable to the proprietor of that factory from the pool.

 

“(12b) In the application of sub-sections (12) and (12a) in relation to a pool maintained in respect of dairy products of 2 or more particular kinds, the quantity of dairy products of those kinds, or of any of those kinds, produced during a production period, or produced at a factory during a production period, shall be ascertained in accordance with a method determined by the Minister after consultation with the Corporation. and

(g) by inserting in sub-section (13) “or (12a)” after “sub-section (12)”.

NOTES

1. Act No. 96, 1978; assented to 22 June 1978.

2. Act No. 38, 1924, as amended. For previous amendments see Act No. 45, 1934; No. 70, 1935; No. 26, 1936; No. 20, 1937; No. 18, 1938; No. 24, 1942; No. 53, 1947; No. 37, 1953; No. 17, 1954; No. 74, 1958; No. 49, 1962; No. 79, 1963; No. 43, 1965; No. 93, 1966; No. 3, 1972; No. 216, 1973 (as amended by No. 20, 1974); No. 82, 1975; Nos. 37 and 79, 1976; and No. 53, 1977.

Overview

The Dairy Produce Amendment Act 1978 was enacted by the Queen, and the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia to address certain gaps and issues within the existing framework of the Dairy Produce Act 1924. This amendment introduced changes to the regulation of the dairy industry, particularly focusing on the establishment of pools for returns on export sales of dairy products, and the management of quota products. The policy objective behind these amendments was to refine the regulatory environment for dairy production, ensuring more effective distribution and management of financial returns from dairy exports, as well as better integration with quota management under the Dairy Industry Stabilization Act 1977. This legislative update aimed to provide clarity and improved operational mechanisms for stakeholders within the dairy industry.

Scope and Application

The Dairy Produce Amendment Act 1978 applies to the dairy industry within Australia, affecting the operations of entities involved in the production, storage, distribution, sale, export, and promotion of dairy products. This Act amends the Dairy Produce Act 1924, extending its scope to include pools for returns on export sales of dairy products, specifically those of particular kinds or multiple kinds, and introducing definitions for "quota products" as per the Dairy Industry Stabilization Act 1977. The Act's provisions are applicable nationally, as it is a Commonwealth Act, and it allows for the Commonwealth to make payments to meet expenses incurred by persons engaged in the dairy industry, with these payments being debited to the relevant pool. The Act also outlines procedures for final payments to factory proprietors based on the quantity of dairy products produced, with the possibility of transferring amounts to the Dairy Products Stabilization Trust Fund. The Act’s application can be further extended or modified through subordinate instruments, such as regulations or orders, made under its authority.

Key Provisions

The Dairy Produce Amendment Act 1978 (C2004A01895) amends the Dairy Produce Act 1924 to introduce new provisions for the management and distribution of returns from export sales of dairy products. Section 3 of the Act modifies the definition of “pool” in the Principal Act, allowing for pools to be established for two or more particular kinds of dairy products (subsection 3(a)). Additionally, it introduces the concept of “quota products,” which are defined as dairy products for which quotas are determined under the Dairy Industry Stabilization Act 1977 (subsection 3(b)). The Act also includes provisions for payments to be made to persons engaged in the production, storage, distribution, sale, export, or promotion of dairy products to cover expenses incurred in these activities (subsection 3(e)). Finally, it revises the process for calculating and distributing final pool returns to factory proprietors, particularly in relation to quota products (subsections 3(f) and 3(g)). Under the Dairy Produce Amendment Act 1978, the parties or entities governed by the Act must adhere to several obligations and requirements. These include the establishment of pools for particular kinds of dairy products, the calculation of final pool returns, and the distribution of these returns to factory proprietors. The Act also mandates that where dairy products are produced at one factory on behalf of another factory, the products are deemed to have been produced at the latter factory (subsection 3(c)). Furthermore, the Act requires the Corporation to ascertain final pool returns per tonne for quota products and to pay these returns to factory proprietors based on the quantity of dairy products produced (subsection 3(f)(b)). It also allows for the transfer of amounts from the pool to the Dairy Products Stabilization Trust Fund, with subsequent division among factory proprietors (subsection 3(f)(a) and 3(f)(b)). The Dairy Produce Amendment Act 1978 outlines specific offences and penalties for breaches of its provisions. While the Act does not explicitly state penalties, it is understood that any breach of the Act or its regulations could result in civil or criminal consequences, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. Penalties for breaches of similar Acts and regulations can include fines, imprisonment, or both, with the exact penalties determined by the courts based on the specific circumstances of the case. It is important for parties governed by the Act to ensure compliance to avoid any potential legal repercussions.

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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.