Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1974 No. 121, made under the Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Act 1971, addresses the need to stabilise prices for dried vine fruits in Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General of Australia, John R. Kerr, with the advice of the Executive Council, this legislative instrument aims to ensure fair pricing for the 1973 season of dried vine fruits, specifically currants, sultanas, and raisins. The regulation introduces a base price for these fruits, aiming to provide a stable economic environment for producers. This policy objective is to protect the interests of those involved in the cultivation and marketing of dried vine fruits by preventing drastic price fluctuations and ensuring a consistent income for the growers.

Scope and Application

The Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Regulations 1974, made under the Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Act 1971, apply to entities involved in the production, processing, sale, or export of dried vine fruits such as currants, sultanas, and raisins within Australia. The regulations establish the base price for these fruits for the season commencing on 1 January 1973, providing a statutory framework for setting prices and stabilising the market. This regulation has a national reach as it is enacted under Commonwealth legislation, thus applying uniformly across all states and territories. While the primary focus of these regulations is to ensure price stability in the dried vine fruits industry, they do not explicitly state exclusions or thresholds, leaving interpretation to the relevant authorities. The regulations may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, allowing for adjustments based on market conditions or other factors deemed necessary by the government.

Key Provisions

The Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Regulations 1974, made under the authority of the Dried Vine Fruits Stabilization Act 1971, introduce specific provisions aimed at stabilising the prices of dried vine fruits for the 1973 season. Section 3 of the Regulations (new regulation 3) establishes the base price for various types of dried vine fruits, namely currants, sultanas, and raisins. This base price is set at $323.38 per ton for currants, $283.38 per ton for sultanas, and $253.38 per ton for raisins. This legislative instrument is intended to provide a reference point for determining prices and stabilising market conditions for these products during the specified season. Under these Regulations, parties or entities involved in the trading, processing, or marketing of dried vine fruits are required to adhere to the stipulated base prices as set out in Section 3. This includes ensuring that transactions involving these fruits are conducted at or around these specified base prices. Such adherence is critical in maintaining market stability and providing a predictable economic environment for producers and consumers of dried vine fruits. Failure to comply with the base price provisions as outlined in Section 3 could result in various legal consequences. Although the exact penalties are not specified within the Regulations themselves, breaches of the Act or its regulations could lead to civil or criminal penalties, as stipulated in the primary Act. In cases of civil penalties, offenders may be subject to fines or other monetary penalties. If the breach is deemed to be more severe, criminal penalties could apply, potentially including imprisonment, depending on the nature and extent of the violation. The specific penalties would be determined by the courts, taking into account the circumstances of each case.