MEAT EXPORT CHARGES.
No. 53 of 1935.
An Act to impose Charges upon the Export of Meat.
[Assented to 6th December, 1935.]
BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—
Short title.
1. This Act may be cited as the Meat Export Charges Act 1935.
Definition.
2. In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—
“meat” means beef, mutton, lamb, veal, pork, bacon and ham, and includes canned meat.
Charge on export of meat.
3.—(1.) Charges are imposed and shall be levied and paid on all meat exported from the Commonwealth after a date to be fixed by Proclamation.
(2.) Subject to a lower rate being prescribed by the regulations, the rates of such charges shall be as specified in the Schedule to this Act.
(3.) All moneys payable under this section in respect of any meat shall be paid, on or before the entry of the meat for export, to such officers in the respective States, or in the Northern Territory, as are prescribed.
Exemption from charges.
4.—(1.) The Governor-General may, from time to time, by order published in the Gazette, after report to the Minister by the Australian Meat Board constituted under the Meat Export Control Act 1935, exempt any meat from the charges imposed by or under this Act.
(2.) Any exemption under this section may be unconditional or subject to such conditions, and shall apply in respect of such period (if any), as are specified in the order of exemption.
(3.) The Governor-General may, by order published in the Gazette, cancel any exemption made under this section of any meat from the charges imposed by or under this Act, and thereupon those charges shall, from the date fixed by the order, become payable in respect of that meat.
Regulations.
5. The Governor-General may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing all matters which are by this Act required or permitted to be prescribed, or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed, for carrying out or giving effect to this Act, 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.
Duration of Act
6. This Act shall continue in force until a date to be fixed by Proclamation as the date upon which the Act shall cease to be in force.
THE SCHEDULE.
Kind of meat. | Rate of charge. |
Beef........... | Hindquarters, forequarters and crops................... | ½d. each |
| Piece beef (not being hindquarters, forequarters, crops, or boneless beef)—for each 165 pounds or portion thereof | ½d. |
| Boneless beef—for each 110 pounds or portion thereof | ½d. |
Mutton and lamb | Carcases..................................... | 1d. each |
| Portions of carcases—for each 45 pounds or portion Thereof... | 1d. |
Pork........... | Carcases..................................... | 1d. each |
| Portions of carcases—for each 100 pounds or portion Thereof.. | 1d. |
Bacon and ham | For each 100 pounds or portion thereof................. | 1d. |
Veal........... | Carcases—for each carcase......................... | ½d. |
| Piece veal (not being carcases or boneless veal)—for each 70 pounds or portion thereof | ½d. |
| Boneless veal—for each 50 pounds or portion thereof | ½d. |
Canned meat...... | For each 100 pounds or portion thereof................. | 1d. |
Overview
The Meat Export Charges Act 1935 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to address the need for imposing and regulating charges on the export of meat from Australia. This Act aimed to standardise and control the export of various types of meat, including beef, mutton, lamb, veal, pork, bacon, ham, and canned meat. The policy objective behind this legislation was to provide a structured financial framework for meat exports, ensuring that appropriate charges were levied to support the meat industry and facilitate its growth. The Act also allows for exemptions and variations in charges through orders by the Governor-General, subject to recommendations from the Australian Meat Board. The Act was designed to be flexible and adaptable, with provisions for making regulations to modify the rates of charges as necessary, reflecting the dynamic nature of the meat export industry.
Scope and Application
The Meat Export Charges Act 1935 imposes charges on the export of various types of meat from the Commonwealth of Australia, which include beef, mutton, lamb, veal, pork, bacon, ham, and canned meat. This Act applies to all entities and persons exporting meat from Australia after a date specified by a Proclamation. The charges are levied on the meat before it is exported and must be paid to prescribed officers in the respective states or in the Northern Territory. The rates of these charges are specified in the Schedule to the Act, although the Governor-General may, through regulations, prescribe lower rates after consulting with the Australian Meat Board. Exemptions from these charges can be made by the Governor-General, either unconditionally or with specified conditions, and these exemptions can also be revoked by the Governor-General. The Act remains in force until a date specified by a Proclamation.
Key Provisions
The Meat Export Charges Act 1935 (sections 3 and 4) imposes charges on the export of meat from Australia, which must be paid to specified officers in the respective states or territories before the meat is exported. The rates of these charges are detailed in the Schedule, with certain types of meat, such as beef and veal, having different rates based on their form or weight. The Act allows the Governor-General to exempt certain types of meat from these charges, either unconditionally or subject to specific conditions, as well as to cancel any such exemptions at any time. The Act also provides for the Governor-General to make regulations that prescribe lower rates for certain types of meat, subject to the approval of the Australian Meat Board under the Meat Export Control Act 1935.
Parties governed by the Meat Export Charges Act 1935, such as meat exporters, are required to pay the specified charges on meat exports to the designated officers before the meat is exported (section 3). They must ensure that all payments are made in accordance with the rates specified in the Schedule or any lower rates prescribed by regulation. Exporters must also be aware of any exemptions that may apply to certain types of meat, as these can affect the charges they need to pay.
Breaches of the Meat Export Charges Act 1935, such as failure to pay the required charges or exporting meat without making the necessary payments, may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the Act does not explicitly state the penalties for such breaches, it is likely that they would be pursued under the general provisions of Australian law, which could include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity and frequency of the offence. The exact penalties would be determined by the courts based on the circumstances of each case.