Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act (No. 2) 1959

Legislation au C1959A00101 Not in force Act

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EXPORT PAYMENTS INSURANCE CORPORATION (No. 2).

 

No. 101 of 1959.

An Act to amend the Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act 1956, as amended by the Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act 1959.

[Assented to 4th December, 1959.]

BE it enacted by the Queens Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act (No. 2) 1959.

(2.) The Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act 1956, as amended by the Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act 1959, is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.) Section one of the Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act 1959 is amended by omitting sub-section (3.).

(4.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act 19561959.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

3. Section sixteen of the Principal Act is repealed and the following section inserted in its stead:—

Percentage of loss that may be covered.

16—(1.) Subject to this section, in a contract of insurance entered into by the Corporation, there shall, in relation to each cause of loss to which the contract applies, be specified a percentage as the percentage of the amount of the loss, as defined in the contract, to which the indemnity under the contract extends.

(2.) In relation to the one cause of loss, different percentages may be specified as being applicable in respect of loss sustained by reason of the occurrence of the cause at different times.


(3.) The maximum percentage that may be specified, in pursuance of this section, in a contract of insurance that relates to a contract of sale of goods exported or to be exported is—

(a) in relation to a commercial cause—eighty-five per centum; and

(b) in relation to any other cause—

(i) in respect of loss sustained by reason of the occurrence of the cause after the goods have been exported within the meaning of the contract of insurance—ninety-five per centum; or

(ii) in respect of any loss sustained by reason of the occurrence of the cause at any other time—ninety per centum.

(4.) The maximum percentage that may be specified, in pursuance of this section, in a contract of insurance that relates to an act or transaction other than a contract of sale of goods exported or to be exported is—

(a) in relation to a commercial cause—eighty-five per centum; or

(b) in relation to any other cause—ninety-five per centum.

(5.) In this section—

commercial cause means a cause related expressly to—

(a) the failure of a person by whom moneys are payable in connexion with an act or transaction to which the contract of insurance relates, not being—

(i) a Government;

(ii) a person who the Corporation is satisfied is an authority of a Government; or

(iii) a person in respect of whom the Corporation is satisfied that his contractual obligations are guaranteed by a Government,

to pay any moneys so payable; or

(b) the insolvency, within the meaning of the contract of insurance, of such a person..

Application of moneys.

4. Section twenty-six of the Principal Act is amended by omitting sub-section (2.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-section:—


“(2.) Moneys of the Corporation not immediately required for the purposes of the Corporation may be invested—

(a) on fixed deposit with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia or with any other bank approved by the Treasurer;

(b) in securities of the Commonwealth; or

(c) subject to such conditions, if any, as the Treasurer determines by instrument under his hand—by way of loan to a person for the time being approved by the Treasurer upon the security of securities of the Commonwealth.”.

 

Overview

The Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act (No. 2) 1959 was enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia to amend the Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act 1956. The 1959 Act aims to refine the insurance coverage provided by the Corporation, specifically addressing the percentages of losses that can be covered under various insurance contracts. The principal objective of this legislation is to ensure that the Corporation can more effectively manage its financial obligations and provide adequate coverage to exporters, thereby supporting Australia's export trade. The Act came into effect on the day it received Royal Assent and includes provisions that detail the specific percentages of losses that can be insured under different circumstances, as well as amendments to the application and investment of the Corporation's funds.

Scope and Application

The Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act (No. 2) 1959 amends the Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act 1956, which provides a framework for the Corporation's operations. The Act applies to the Export Payments Insurance Corporation and the transactions it insures, particularly those involving the export of goods. It specifies the maximum percentages of loss that can be covered under insurance contracts, distinguishing between commercial causes and other causes, and varying the percentages depending on when the loss occurs relative to the exportation of goods. The legislation has a national jurisdictional reach as it is a Commonwealth Act, impacting entities and persons involved in export transactions across Australia. While the Act sets out specific rules and limits, it does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, but it does allow for the Treasurer to set conditions for investments and loans under certain circumstances. The Act also extends its application through the authority granted to the Treasurer to approve banks and persons for investments and loans, subject to the Treasurer's determination.

Key Provisions

The Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act (No. 2) 1959 amends the Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act 1956, as previously amended by the Export Payments Insurance Corporation Act 1959. The primary amendment introduced by this Act concerns the percentage of loss that may be covered by insurance contracts issued by the Corporation. Section 16 of the Principal Act is repealed and replaced with a new section specifying the maximum percentages that can be covered for various causes of loss under insurance contracts. For contracts of sale of exported goods, the maximum percentages are 85% for commercial causes and either 95% or 90% for other causes depending on the timing of the loss. For other types of contracts, the maximum percentages are 85% for commercial causes and 95% for other causes. The obligations imposed by this Act primarily revolve around the Corporation's adherence to the specified maximum percentages for loss coverage in its insurance contracts. This includes clearly stating the applicable percentages in each contract, ensuring that these percentages are adhered to when settling claims, and ensuring that investments of the Corporation's funds are conducted in accordance with the new provisions outlined in section 26. The Corporation must also ensure that any investments of unneeded funds comply with the conditions set forth by the Treasurer, which include permissible banks for fixed deposits, investments in Commonwealth securities, and loans secured by Commonwealth securities to approved persons. Failure to comply with the specified maximum percentages for loss coverage in insurance contracts could result in legal ramifications for the Corporation. While the Act does not explicitly detail penalties for such breaches, it can be inferred that non-compliance could lead to disputes with policyholders, potential legal action, and reputational damage. Additionally, incorrect investments of the Corporation's funds, not adhering to the Treasurer's conditions, could similarly result in financial loss and legal consequences. The precise penalties for such breaches, however, would depend on the specific circumstances and could range from financial penalties to more severe sanctions depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance.

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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.