Excise Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Excise Act 1901-1952, as amended by the Statutory Rules 1954 No. 22, addresses issues related to the excise duties on certain goods. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, this regulation modifies the Excise Regulations by updating the duty from twelve shillings and sixpence to thirteen shillings. The intent of this regulation is to ensure that excise duties are adjusted to reflect economic conditions and maintain revenue streams for the Commonwealth. The regulation is part of a series of amendments to the Excise Regulations, which have been progressively updated over the years to keep pace with changes in the monetary system and fiscal policy objectives.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument, under the Excise Act 1901-1952, pertains specifically to the amendment of the Excise Regulations. The regulation modifies the monetary threshold outlined in Regulation 209, changing the specified amount from Twelve shillings and sixpence to Thirteen shillings. This adjustment is aimed at aligning the excise duties with the current economic conditions and ensuring the fiscal policy remains effective and relevant. The Excise Act applies to all individuals and entities involved in the production, sale, or transportation of excisable goods within the Commonwealth of Australia. This encompasses a wide array of industries including manufacturing, wholesale, and retail sectors that engage in transactions involving goods such as alcohol, tobacco, and petrol. The amendments made through this regulation extend to the entire Commonwealth, impacting all states and territories uniformly. While the Excise Act and its regulations do not specify exclusions or exemptions within the scope of this particular amendment, certain goods and industries may be exempt from excise duties under broader provisions of the Act. The Act allows for further elaboration and modification through subordinate instruments, which can introduce additional specific exclusions or exemptions as needed.

Key Provisions

This statutory instrument amends Regulation 209 of the Excise Regulations by changing the amount specified in sub-regulation (1) from "Twelve shillings and sixpence" to "Thirteen shillings." The Excise Act 1901-1952 governs excise duties on certain goods, and the Excise Regulations are made under the Act to provide further detail about the application of those duties. Regulation 209 likely pertains to the duty on a specific good or class of goods, and this amendment increases the duty amount from twelve shillings and sixpence to thirteen shillings. The obligations imposed by this amendment are primarily on the parties involved in the manufacture, production, or sale of the goods subject to the excise duty. These parties must now account for and pay the higher duty amount as specified in the amended regulation. This means that if any goods are manufactured, produced, or sold in Australia that are subject to this duty, the new rate of thirteen shillings must be applied. Compliance with this change requires that businesses adjust their accounting and financial records to reflect the updated duty rate. Failure to comply with the amended duty rate could result in civil or criminal penalties, depending on the circumstances. The Excise Act 1901-1952 includes provisions for penalties and enforcement mechanisms, which may include fines or imprisonment for wilful or negligent breaches. The specific penalties would be determined by the courts based on the nature and extent of the breach. The precise maximum penalties are not detailed in the statutory instrument itself but are found within the broader provisions of the Excise Act.