EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1984 NO. 99
LIQUID FUEL EMERGENCY ACT 1984
GUIDELINES UNDER SUB-SECTION 23 (1)
Sub-section 23 (1) of the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984 (‘the Act’) provides that the Minister may, by instrument in writing, specify guidelines for directions to corporations regulating or prohibiting the supply of fuel during each planning period of a declared liquid fuel emergency.
Under sub-section 23(2) of the Act the Minister may, during a declared emergency, regulate or prohibit the supply of specified refined liquid petroleum products either generally or to specific classes of fuel users for the duration of a planing period (Section 9). Sub-section 23(3) prevents the use of the power under 23(2) to control solely bulk customers. Directions given under sub-section 23(2) are to comply with Guidelines made under 23(1).
The Guidelines require that the directions under 23(2) ensure that the specified fuel is only supplied on evidence of entitlement to purchase the quantity supplied, and that the directions specify the maximum quantities of fuel to be supplied at one time or over a period. The Guidelines also provide for the directions to specify different quantities (and periods) for supply to different persons or classes of fuel users.