MEAT EXPORT CHARGE.
No. 33 of 1954.
An Act to amend the Meat Export Charges Act 1935, and for other purposes.
[Assented to 21st October, 1954.]
BE it enacted by the Queen’s 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 Meat Export Charge Act 1954.
(2.) The Meat Export Charges Act 1935 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.
(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Meat Export Charge Act 1935-1954.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Title.
3. The title of the Principal Act is amended by omitting the word “Charges” and inserting in its stead the words “a Charge”.
Charge on export of meat.
4. Section three of the Principal Act is amended by omitting sub-sections (1.) and (2.) and inserting in their stead the following sub-sections:—
“(1.) A charge is imposed and shall be levied and paid on all meat exported from the Commonwealth.
“(2.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-section, the rate of the charge is one-tenth of a penny for each pound of meat exported.
“(2a.) The regulations may, after report to the Minister by the Australian Meat Board constituted under the Meat Export Control Act 1935-1953—
(a) prescribe the rate of the charge; or
(b) prescribe different rates of the charge for different classes of meat,
but so that no rate specified in the regulations shall exceed the rate specified in the last preceding sub-section.”.
Exemption from charges
5. Section four of the Principal Act is amended—
(a) by omitting the words “the charges” (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “the charge”; and
(b) by omitting from sub-section (3.) the words “those charges” and inserting in their stead the words “that charge”.
Regulation.
6. Section five of the Principal Act is amended by omitting the words “, and, in particular, after report to the Minister by the Australian Meat Board constituted under the Meat Export Control Act 1935, for prescribing lower rates of the charges imposed on any meat exported from the Commonwealth”.
The Schedule
7. The Schedule to the Principal Act is repealed.
Saving.
8. An order in force immediately before the commencement of this Act exempting meat from the charges imposed by the Principal Act continues in force so as to exempt that meat from the charge imposed by or under the Principal Act as amended by this Act, but the exemption may be cancelled under sub-section (3.) of section four of the Principal Act as so amended.
Overview
The Meat Export Charge Act 1954 was enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia to amend the Meat Export Charges Act 1935. This Act sought to address the need for a streamlined and updated charge structure on the export of meat from the Commonwealth, thereby facilitating better regulation and oversight of meat exports. It introduced a single charge on all meat exports, with the rate to be determined by regulation, and provided for exemptions where appropriate. The policy objective of the Act was to establish a clear and consistent charge for meat exports, which would aid in the efficient administration of the meat export industry.
Scope and Application
The Meat Export Charge Act 1954 applies to all meat exported from the Commonwealth of Australia, imposing a charge on such exports. The Act amends the Meat Export Charges Act 1935, referred to as the Principal Act, by changing the title to reflect a singular charge on meat exports and modifying the charge rate and exemption provisions. The Act specifies that the rate of charge is one-tenth of a penny for each pound of meat exported, with potential variations prescribed by regulation. Exemptions from the charge, as previously established under the Principal Act, remain in effect unless specifically cancelled under the new provisions. The Act also allows for the regulation of different rates for various classes of meat, provided they do not exceed the maximum rate specified. This legislative amendment ensures a streamlined and updated framework for the collection of export charges on meat within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Meat Export Charge Act 1954 (Act) makes significant amendments to the Meat Export Charges Act 1935 (Principal Act). The most fundamental change is the imposition of a charge on all meat exported from the Commonwealth, as detailed in section 4(1). This charge is set at one-tenth of a penny per pound of meat, though the regulations may alter this rate or set different rates for different classes of meat, as outlined in section 4(2a). The Act specifies that any rate prescribed in the regulations must not exceed the maximum rate set in the Act.
Entities or parties governed by this Act, particularly those involved in the export of meat, must comply with the charge requirements as stipulated in the Act and any subsequent regulations. The Australian Meat Board, under the Meat Export Control Act 1935-1953, has a role in reporting to the Minister for the purpose of prescribing rates of the charge, as mentioned in section 4(2a). Additionally, any exemptions from the charge must be carefully managed, with provisions for cancellation of existing exemptions as outlined in section 4 of the Principal Act, now amended by section 8 of the current Act.
Breaches of the provisions of this Act may lead to civil or criminal consequences, though the Act does not explicitly state the specific penalties. However, given the context and the nature of regulatory compliance, it is likely that penalties would be aligned with those provided under related legislation or general statutory penalty provisions. These could include fines or other sanctions for non-compliance with the charge requirements or failure to adhere to the prescribed rates and regulations.