Meteorological Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1940, No. 36, represents a regulation enacted under the Meteorology Act 1906 by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. This legislative instrument was introduced to amend the existing Meteorological Regulations, specifically concerning the sale of publications. The problem or gap addressed by this regulation is the clarification and updating of the terms under which certain meteorological publications can be sold, reflecting changes in how these publications are managed and distributed. The policy objective, as implied by the regulation, is to streamline and modernise the administration of meteorological information dissemination, ensuring that the sale of publications adheres to contemporary subscription practices. The regulation amends Regulation 2 of the Meteorological Regulations, altering the conditions under which additional copies of certain publications can be sold. This amendment aims to streamline the process and ensure that the sale of these publications aligns with the established subscription models, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of meteorological information distribution. This regulatory change was officially notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 22nd February 1940 and is part of a series of amendments to the Meteorological Regulations dating back to 1926, reflecting ongoing efforts to update and refine the legislative framework governing meteorology in Australia.

Scope and Application

This statutory rule amends the Meteorological Regulations under the Meteorology Act 1906, impacting the sale of meteorological publications. The regulation specifically modifies the conditions under which additional copies of certain meteorological publications can be sold. Prior to the amendment, sub-regulation (4) restricted the sale of additional copies of specific publications such as the Daily Rain Map, the Daily Weather Bulletin (Interstate), the Daily Weather Bulletin (State), and the Daily Weather Chart of Australia. The new amendment removes these specific publications from the restriction and instead applies the restriction to any publication for which an annual subscription is fixed under sub-regulation (1). This change implies that the regulation now broadly applies to any meteorological publication subject to an annual subscription, thereby potentially affecting a wider range of publications than before. The amendment is part of a series of regulatory updates aimed at refining the administration and sale of meteorological data and publications under the Meteorology Act. The regulation has a national reach, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia and is effective as of the date of notification in the Commonwealth Gazette on 22nd February 1940.

Key Provisions

The Regulation under the Meteorology Act 1906, specifically Statutory Rules 1940, No. 36, amends Regulation 2 of the Meteorological Regulations, which governs the sale of meteorological publications. Regulation 2(4) is altered to replace the previously listed publications—Daily Rain Map, Daily Weather Bulletin (Interstate), Daily Weather Bulletin (State), and Daily Weather Chart of Australia—with a new category of publications for which an annual subscription is set out in Regulation 2(1). This change allows for a more flexible approach to the publications subject to subscription fees, aligning with the current needs and practices in meteorological information dissemination. Under this amended regulation, any entity or individual involved in the sale of additional copies of meteorological publications now must adhere to the subscription fees established in Regulation 2(1). This means that any additional copies of the publications specified in Regulation 2(1) must be sold in accordance with the prescribed subscription rates. This requirement ensures that the distribution and sale of meteorological data are managed consistently and fairly, protecting the interests of both the publishers and the consumers of such information. Failure to comply with the amended Regulation 2 could lead to legal consequences. Although the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach are not detailed in the provided text, it is generally understood that breaches of regulations under the Meteorology Act 1906 could result in fines or other civil penalties. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any additional provisions outlined in the broader legislative framework of the Meteorology Act. Ensuring adherence to these regulations is crucial to maintaining the integrity and accessibility of meteorological information.