Meat Industry Encouragement Act 1924

Legislation au C1924A00055 Not in force Act

Legislation content

 

MEAT INDUSTRY ENCOURAGEMENT.

 

No. 55 of 1924.

An Act to encourage and improve the Meat Industry of Australia.

[Assented to 20th October, 1924.]

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 Industry Encouragement Act 1924.

Commencement.

2.       This Act shall commence on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.

Definitions.

3.—(1.) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—

“the Council” means the Australian Meat Council appointed under this Act;


“Board” means a State Meat Advisory Board established by virtue of any State Act;

“cattle” includes any bull, cow, ox, heifer, steer and calf; and

“sheep” includes any ram, ewe, wether and hogget, but does not include lamb, except in paragraph (d)of section nine.

(2.) References in this Act to the appointment of members of the Council shall, in the case of members of the Council representing meat producers and meat works, be construed as references to the choice and nomination of those members in pursuance of a law of a State.

Establishment of Australian Meat Council.

4.—(1.) There shall be an Australian Meat Council.

(2.) Subject to this Act, the Council shall consist of the following:—

(a) One representative of the Commonwealth;

(b) One representative of each State the Parliament of which has passed legislation providing for the encouragement and improvement of the Meat Industry and for representation on the Council;

(c) Sixteen representatives of the meat producers; and

(d) Seven representatives of the meat works established in Australia.

(3.) The representative of the Commonwealth shall be an officer of the Commonwealth appointed by the Governor-General.

(4.) The representative of a State shall be an officer of the State appointed by the Governor in Council.

(5.) The representatives of the meat producers shall be the persons who are chosen and nominated by the respective Boards in pursuance of laws of the States, or, in case of the Northern Territory, by the Governor-General in pursuance of an Ordinance, and the number of representatives and the interests which they represent shall be as follows:—

(a) In the case of each of the States of New South Wales and Victoria—three representatives, representing respectively the cattle interests, the sheep interests, and the lamb interests;

(b) In the case of the State of Queensland—three representatives, two of whom shall represent the cattle interests, and one the sheep and lamb interests;

(c) In the case of each of the other States—two representatives, one of whom shall represent the cattle interests, and the other the sheep and lamb interests; and

(d) In the case of the Northern Territory—one representative representing the cattle, sheep, and lamb interests.


(6.) The representatives of the meat works shall be the persons who are chosen and nominated by the respective Boards in pursuance of laws of the States, or, in the case of the Northern Territory, by the Governor-General in pursuance of an Ordinance, and shall consist of one representative of the meat works in each State and one representative of the meat works in the Northern Territory.

(7.) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the meat producers and meat works in any State or in the Northern Territory shall not be entitled to representation on the Council until there is in force in that State or Territory, as the case may be, a law providing for the encouragement and improvement of the Meat Industry and for the representation of the meat producers and meat works on the Council, and for the making and levying of assessments on owners of cattle and owners of sheep.

Tenure of membership of Council and vacancies.

5.—(1.) The members of the Council who are appointed by the Governor-General shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor-General.

(2.) The member of the Council who is appointed by the Governor in Council of a State shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor in Council of that State.

(3.) The members of the Council who are appointed by a Board shall hold office for the period for which they are so appointed.

(4.) If any vacancy happens in the membership of the Council, the authority by which the person who has ceased to be a member of the Council was appointed may appoint a person to fill the vacancy.

Fees and travelling allowances of members of Council.

6. The members of the Council shall be entitled to receive such fees, and such allowances to cover cost of travelling, as are prescribed.

Quorum of Council.

7. Ten members of the Council shall form a quorum.

Election of Chairman and voting at meetings.

8.—(1.) At the first meeting of the Council in each year, the members present shall elect one of their number to be the Chairman of the Council until the first meeting of the Council in the next year, and one of their number to be Deputy Chairman of the Council for the same period.

(2.) At all meetings of the Council each of the members present, other than the members representing the Commonwealth and the States, shall have one vote.

(3.) In the event of an equality of votes the Chairman or, in the event of his absence, the Deputy Chairman, shall have a casting vote.

Powers of Council.

9. (1.) Subject to this Act, the Council shall have power—

(a) to appoint officers for such period as it thinks necessary, and confer on those officers any powers necessary for enabling the Council to exercise the powers conferred on it by this Act;


(b) to make recommendations to the Minister in relation to the administration of any Act relating to the export and interstate trade in meat and the products of meat, including the grading, standard of quality and conditions generally;

(c) to advise the Minister or a Board in relation to any matter referred to it by the Minister or a Board, as the case may be;

(d) to determine and declare the rates at which assessments on owners of cattle and owners of sheep may be made and levied under the authority of laws of the States, or of the Northern Territory, and to demand in the prescribed manner, and receive, from the Boards or other authorities making or levying assessments the whole, or such part as the Council specifies, of the sums received from the making or levying of those assessments;

(e) to advise the Minister as to any matters or measures calculated to encourage or improve the Meat Industry;

(f) to arrange for the expenditure, either by the Council or through Boards or other authorities, of any moneys received by the Council, whether by way or in consequence of the making and levying of assessments under a State Act, or otherwise, for the encouragement or improvement of the Meat Industry;

(g) to appoint an Executive Committee consisting of the Chairman of the Council and six members to be elected annually by the Council, and to confer on that Committee such of the powers of the Council as the Council thinks fit; and

(h) to do such other things for the encouragement or improvement of the Meat Industry as are prescribed:

Provided that action taken under paragraph (b)or (d) of this sub-section shall not apply to any State in which there is not a law in force of the nature specified in sub-section (7.) of section four of this Act.

(2.) Officers who are appointed by the Council shall not be subject to the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922, but shall be engaged for such periods, and be subject to such conditions, as are prescribed.

Audit of Accounts.

10.—(1.) The books and accounts of the Council shall be subject to inspection and audit by the Auditor-General.

(2.) A report of each audit shall be made to the Minister of State for Trade and Customs, who shall cause a copy of the report to be laid on the table of each House of the Parliament.

Regulations.

11. The Governor-General may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing all matters which by this Act are required or permitted to be prescribed, or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed, for giving effect to this Act.

Overview

The Meat Industry Encouragement Act 1924 was enacted to foster and improve Australia's meat industry. The Act was passed by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aiming to establish an Australian Meat Council and provide a structured framework for the meat industry, including the establishment of State Meat Advisory Boards. The Council's mandate includes making recommendations to the Minister on meat export and interstate trade, advising on industry matters, setting assessment rates, and encouraging industry improvements. The Act establishes the Council's composition, tenure, powers, and financial oversight, ensuring that the meat industry's interests are represented and effectively managed. The Council, which includes representatives from the Commonwealth, states, meat producers, and meat works, is tasked with making recommendations to the Minister regarding the administration of meat-related acts, including grading, quality standards, and general conditions. Additionally, the Council advises the Minister and state boards on industry matters and determines assessment rates for cattle and sheep owners. The Act also allows for the expenditure of funds received for the industry's encouragement and improvement, either directly or through state boards or other authorities.

Scope and Application

The Meat Industry Encouragement Act 1924 applies to the establishment and functioning of the Australian Meat Council, which includes representatives from the Commonwealth, the states, meat producers, and meat works. The Act is applicable to the entire Commonwealth of Australia and mandates the creation of a council to encourage and improve the meat industry. To qualify for representation on the Council, a state must have legislation in place that provides for the encouragement and improvement of the meat industry and representation on the Council, as well as the levying of assessments on cattle and sheep owners. The Act provides for the appointment of council members, their tenure, fees, quorum requirements, and powers, including the ability to make recommendations to the Minister, determine assessment rates, and allocate funds for the industry's encouragement and improvement. The Act also allows for the creation of subordinate regulations by the Governor-General to further implement the Act's provisions.

Key Provisions

The Meat Industry Encouragement Act 1924 (section 4) establishes the Australian Meat Council, composed of representatives from the Commonwealth, each state with relevant legislation, meat producers, and meat works. The Commonwealth representative is appointed by the Governor-General, while state representatives are appointed by the respective Governors in Council. Meat producer and meat works representatives are chosen by relevant boards in accordance with state laws or by the Governor-General for the Northern Territory. Representation is only granted if the state or territory has passed legislation for meat industry encouragement and assessment levies. Section 5 outlines the tenure of Council members, who hold their positions at the pleasure of their appointing authority, with provisions for filling vacancies. Members are entitled to fees and travel allowances as prescribed (section 6), and a quorum of ten members is required for meetings (section 7). The Chairman and Deputy Chairman are elected annually, with the Chairman having a casting vote in the event of a tie (section 8). The Act imposes several obligations on the Australian Meat Council. It must appoint officers, make recommendations to the Minister concerning meat trade and quality standards, advise the Minister and state boards on meat industry matters, set assessment rates for cattle and sheep owners, and arrange for the expenditure of funds for meat industry improvement (section 9). The Council can also appoint an Executive Committee with specified powers (section 9(g)) and must allow for the inspection and audit of its accounts by the Auditor-General (section 10). Regulations can be made by the Governor-General to give effect to the Act (section 11). Breaches of the Act or its regulations may result in civil or criminal penalties, though the Act does not explicitly state these penalties. However, given the context and typical legislative frameworks, breaches could potentially lead to fines, imprisonment, or other civil remedies as determined by relevant courts or authorities. The absence of specific penalties in the Act means that the exact consequences would be guided by common law and other applicable legislation.

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Commencement Provisions
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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.