Meat Export Control Act 1953

Legislation au C1953A00018 Not in force Act

Legislation content

MEAT EXPORT CONTROL.

 

No. 18 of 1953.

An Act to amend the Meat Export Control Act 1935-1950.

[Assented to 9th April, 1953.]

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 Control Act 1953.

(2.) The Meat Export Control Act 1935-1950 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 Control Act 1935-1953.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.


Australian Meat Board.

3. Section five of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by inserting in sub-section (15.), after the word “may”, the words”, subject to the next succeeding sub-section,”; and

(b) by omitting the proviso to sub-section (15.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-section:—

“(15a.) Where the member whose place has become vacant was appointed in accordance with sub-section (4.), (5.), (6.), (7.) or (8.) of this section, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall, subject to sub-section (10.) of this section, be appointed in accordance with that subsection.”.

Meetings of the Board.

4. Section ten of the Principal Act is amended by omitting subsection (5a.).

Executive Committee of Board.

5. Section eleven of the Principal Act is amended by inserting in sub-section (10.), after the word “fees”, the word”, allowances”.

State Committees.

6. Section twelve of the Principal Act is amended by omitting sub-section (3.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-section:—

“(3.) The members of any such Committee shall hold office during the pleasure of the Minister and shall be paid such fees, allowances and expenses as the Minister determines.”.

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 Section thirteen of the Principal Act is repealed and the following section inserted in its stead:—

Salaries, fees, allowances and expenses.

“13.—(1.) Subject to this section, members of the Board (other than the Chairman and the member appointed in pursuance of section five of this Act to represent employees engaged in the slaughter and preparation of meat or meat products for export) and deputies of members shall be paid, in respect of attendance at meetings of the Board or of a committee of the Board or while engaged (whether in Australia or overseas), with the approval of the Board, on business of the Board, such fees, allowances and expenses as the Governor-General determines.

“(2.) The Chairman, and the member appointed in pursuance of section five of this Act to represent employees engaged in the slaughter and preparation of meat or meat products for export, shall receive such salaries, allowances and expenses as the Governor-General determines.

“(3.) If a member of the Board or a deputy of a member is also a member of the Parliament of the Commonwealth or of a State, he shall not be paid salary, fees, allowances or expenses under either of the last two preceding sub-sections, but shall be reimbursed such expenses as he reasonably incurs by reason of his attendance at meetings of the Board or of a committee of the Board or of his engagement (whether in Australia or overseas), with the approval of the Board, on business of the Board.”


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

Employment of staff.

“15.—(1.) Subject to this section, the Board may employ such persons as it thinks necessary to assist the Board in exercising its powers and performing its functions under this Act.

“(2.) The terms and conditions of employment of persons employed under this section shall be such as are determined by the Board with the approval of the Public Service Board.

“(3.) Where a person employed in pursuance of this section was, immediately before he became employed by the Board, an officer of the Public Service of the Commonwealth, his service as a person employed by the Board shall, for the purpose of determining his existing and accruing rights, be taken into account as if it were service in the Public Service of the Commonwealth, and the Officers’ Rights Declaration Act 1928-1953 applies as if this Act and this section had been specified in the Schedule to that Act.”.

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

Contracts relating to shipment and insurance of meat, meat products and edible offal.

“18.—(1.) A contract for—

(a) the carriage of meat, meat products or edible offal by sea to a place beyond the Commonwealth; or

(b) the insurance of meat, meat products or edible offal to be so carried against loss or deterioration while awaiting transport or in transit or until disposed of,

shall not be made except—

(c) by the Board acting as the agent of the owner of the meat, meat products or edible offal or of another person having authority to export the meat, meat products or edible offal; or

(d) in conformity with conditions approved by the Board.

“(2.) A contract of the kind specified in the last preceding subsection made otherwise than in accordance with this section is void.

“(3.) A Collector of Customs or other officer of Customs may require a person who seeks to export meat, meat products or edible offal from the Commonwealth, on making entry of the meat, meat products or edible offal under the Customs Act 1901-1952 and before the entry has been passed, to satisfy him that the contract for the carriage of the meat, meat products or edible offal is in conformity with conditions approved by the Board, and the Collector or other officer may decline to pass the entry until that person has so satisfied him.”.

Application of moneys paid into accounts or Fund.

10. Section twenty-one of the Principal Act is amended by omitting paragraphs (c) and (d) and inserting in their stead the following paragraph:—

“(c) in payment of the salaries, fees, allowances and expenses payable under sections eleven to fifteen (inclusive) of this Act;”.

Overview

The Meat Export Control Act 1953 was enacted to amend the Meat Export Control Act 1935-1950, aiming to address issues related to the control and regulation of meat exports. Passed by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, this Act sought to refine and update the existing legislation to better manage the export of meat products. The policy objective of the Act was to ensure that meat exports were conducted in a manner that complied with specific regulatory standards, enhancing oversight and control over the industry. The Australian Meat Board, a key body in the regulation of meat exports, was subject to several amendments aimed at improving its operational efficiency and governance. The Act introduced changes to the composition, remuneration, and operational protocols of the Board, emphasising the need for stricter control and transparent management of the meat export industry. This included adjustments to the appointment procedures, financial entitlements, and employment practices within the Board. By enacting these amendments, the legislation aimed to provide a more robust framework for the oversight of meat exports, ensuring that the industry adheres to the necessary standards and regulations.

Scope and Application

The Meat Export Control Act 1953 applies to the operations and regulatory framework of the Australian Meat Board, its members, and the employment and financial arrangements of those involved in the export of meat, meat products, and edible offal from Australia. The Act specifically governs the appointment, remuneration, and terms of service for Board members, as well as the financial and operational aspects of the Board. The Act has a national reach as it pertains to the Commonwealth of Australia and its export activities. Certain exclusions and conditions are imposed on the contracts for the carriage and insurance of meat and related products, stipulating that such contracts must be made either by the Board acting as an agent or in conformity with conditions approved by the Board. The Act extends its application through subordinate instruments that may provide additional regulations or conditions concerning the export of meat and related products.

Key Provisions

The Meat Export Control Act 1953 (the "Act") amends the Meat Export Control Act 1935-1950 (the "Principal Act") in several key areas. Section 1 provides the title and citation of the Act, referring to the Principal Act as the Meat Export Control Act 1935-1953 once amended by this Act. Section 2 states that the Act will come into operation on a date fixed by proclamation. The Act modifies the composition and appointment process of the Australian Meat Board. Under section 3, the amendment to subsection (15) of section five of the Principal Act specifies that a replacement member must be appointed according to the same subsection as the vacating member. Section 4 removes subsection (5a) from section ten of the Principal Act, which concerned meetings of the Board. Section 5 amends subsection (10) of section eleven of the Principal Act to include "allowances" alongside "fees". The Act also revises the terms of service for members of State Committees, stipulating in section 6 that these members will hold office at the pleasure of the Minister and be paid fees, allowances, and expenses as determined by the Minister. The obligations imposed by the Act on the parties it governs include the payment of fees, allowances, and expenses to members of the Board and their deputies, as well as members of State Committees, as outlined in sections 13 and 18. The Act mandates that the Australian Meat Board must act as the agent for contracts concerning the carriage or insurance of meat, meat products, or edible offal exported from Australia, or conform to conditions approved by the Board. Furthermore, section 15 allows the Board to employ staff necessary for its operations, with terms and conditions of employment approved by the Public Service Board. Violations of the provisions in the Act can result in significant consequences. Section 18 specifies that any contract for the carriage or insurance of meat, meat products, or edible offal not made in accordance with the Act is void. Additionally, customs officers are empowered to decline to pass the entry of exported goods until the exporter satisfies them that the contract complies with the Act's conditions. While the Act does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, the voiding of contracts and the potential refusal to pass customs entries can have significant commercial repercussions for violators.

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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.