Meat Export Control (Fees and Expenses) Regulations

Overview

The Meat Export Control (Fees and Expenses) Regulations 1936 were established under the Meat Export Control Act 1935, which was enacted to address the need for regulating and controlling meat exports in Australia. These regulations were introduced by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to set out the fees and allowances for members of the Board and its committees. The policy objective, as implied by the regulations, is to ensure that the administration of meat export controls is carried out efficiently by adequately compensating the Board members for their time and expenses incurred during meetings. The regulations specify the daily fees for attendance and travel allowances, ensuring that members are reimbursed for necessary travel costs while attending meetings, with certain limitations to prevent over-compensation.

Scope and Application

The Meat Export Control (Fees and Expenses) Regulations 1936 apply to the members of the Board and their deputies, as well as the Chairman of the Board, who are involved in the administration and oversight of meat export controls under the Meat Export Control Act 1935. These Regulations are concerned with determining the fees and allowances that these officials are entitled to receive for their attendance at various meetings, as well as the reimbursement of travel expenses they incur in the course of their duties. The scope of the application is limited to the members of the Board and their deputies, as well as the Chairman, and does not extend to other entities or industries outside this specific administrative structure. The Regulations do not explicitly state any exclusions or thresholds but are designed to ensure that officials are fairly compensated for their time and expenses related to their responsibilities under the Act. The application of these Regulations can be extended or modified through subordinate instruments, which may provide further details or adjustments to the fees and allowances specified.

Key Provisions

The Meat Export Control (Fees and Expenses) Regulations, made under the Meat Export Control Act 1935, establish specific provisions regarding the fees and expenses for the members of the Board and its committees. The Chairman of the Board is entitled to a fee of Four pounds four shillings per diem, while each member, or deputy of a member of the Board while acting as such, is entitled to a fee of Two pounds two shillings per diem for attendance at meetings (Regulation 2). These fees are applicable for meetings of the Board, the Executive Committee, or the Beef Committee of the Board. In addition to the fees, the Regulations also outline provisions for travel expenses. Members who reside more than fifteen miles from the meeting location are entitled to an allowance of Two pounds two shillings per diem to cover travel expenses (Regulation 3(1)). However, if the travel fare includes subsistence, only one quarter of this allowance is paid (Regulation 3(2)). Importantly, no allowance is payable on days when the member receives a fee for attendance (Regulation 3(3)). Furthermore, members are reimbursed for return travel fares from their residence to the meeting location, except where air travel costs exceed the cost of rail or steamer travel, in which case reimbursement of the excess is only permissible with the Minister's approval (Regulation 3(4) and (5)). Failure to comply with these regulations or the terms outlined in the Meat Export Control Act 1935 could result in legal consequences, although the specific offences, penalties, or consequences are not detailed in the provided text. The Act and its regulations likely include provisions for enforcement and penalties for non-compliance, which would be specified in other sections of the Act or related legislative instruments. The exact penalties and consequences would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any relevant case law or administrative guidelines.