Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1927

Overview

The Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1927, enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, serves as an amendment to the Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1924. This legislation was introduced to address the need for adjusting the export charges on dried fruits, specifically dried currants, dried sultanas, and dried lexias. The 1927 Act provides the authority for the Governor-General to exempt certain types of dried fruits from the charges set by the Act, following a report from the Dried Fruits Control Board. The objective of the Act is to allow for more flexible and responsive regulation of export charges based on the prevailing market conditions and industry feedback, ensuring that the export industry remains competitive while providing the necessary revenue to the Commonwealth.

Scope and Application

The Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1927 amends the Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1924, which together are collectively referred to as the Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1924-1927. This Act applies to the export of dried fruits from Australia, specifically targeting dried currants, dried sultanas, and dried lexias. The Act imposes a charge of one-eighth of a penny for each pound of these dried fruits exported, although the regulations may prescribe a lower rate. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, applying throughout the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act provides the Governor-General with the authority to exempt certain types of dried fruits from the imposed charges, subject to any conditions deemed necessary and following a report from the Dried Fruits Control Board. This exemption can be temporary or indefinite, depending on the terms set out in the Governor-General's order. Additionally, the Act allows for the imposition of the charge to be delayed through regulations, with a specified commencement date not earlier than 1 March 1927.

Key Provisions

The Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1927 amends the Dried Fruits Export Charges Act 1924. This Act specifies the charge on the export of dried fruits and provides for exemptions from such charges under certain conditions. Section 3(2) of the Principal Act is amended to set the charge rate at one-eighth of a penny per pound for dried fruits exported, or a lower rate as prescribed by regulations. This amendment reflects a reduction in the charge rate compared to the previous Act. Under Section 3a, the Governor-General has the authority to exempt certain types of dried fruits—namely dried currants, dried sultanas, and dried lexias—from the export charges. This exemption can be made either unconditionally or with conditions as deemed fit by the Governor-General. Such exemptions will be published in the Gazette and can apply for a specified period or until further notice, as determined by the Governor-General. The exemption process involves a report from the Dried Fruits Control Board, which is established under the Dried Fruits Export Control Act 1924. The Act also imposes obligations on various parties. For example, those exporting dried fruits are required to adhere to the specified charge rates unless exempted by an order under Section 3a. The Dried Fruits Control Board must submit reports to the Minister regarding any recommendations for exemptions. Furthermore, the regulations under Section 4 of the Principal Act must specify a date, not earlier than March 1, 1927, for the new charge rates to apply. These regulations must also detail the types of dried fruits subject to the charges and any exemptions granted. Breaches of the Act may result in both civil and criminal consequences. For instance, failure to comply with the charge requirements or misrepresentation of dried fruits to evade charges could lead to fines or other penalties as prescribed by law. While the Act does not explicitly state maximum penalties, it is reasonable to infer that violations could result in fines commensurate with the nature and extent of the breach, as is typical in regulatory frameworks of this nature.