Meteorology Act 1955
No. 6, 1955 as amended
Compilation start date: 11 September 2014
Includes amendments up to: Act No. 102, 2014
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Meteorology Act 1955 as in force on11 September 2014. It includes any commenced amendment affecting the legislation to that date.
This compilation was prepared on 16 September 2014.
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of each amended provision.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law but the text of the amendments is included in the endnotes.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Modifications
If a provision of the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details are included in the endnotes.
Provisions ceasing to have effect
If a provision of the compiled law has expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
1 Short title
3 Interpretation
4 Extension to Territories
5 The Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology
6 Functions of the Bureau
7 Powers of the Director
7A Advertising
8 Charges
8A Application of the finance law
9 Regulations
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments [none]
Endnote 6—Modifications [none]
Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments [none]
Endnote 8—Miscellaneous [none]
An Act relating to the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Meteorology Act 1955.
3 Interpretation
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
the Bureau means the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology established by this Act.
the Director means the Director of Meteorology.
4 Extension to Territories
(1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act extends to all the Territories.
(2) The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare that this Act, on a date specified in the notice, ceases to extend to a Territory specified in the notice.
5 The Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology
(1) For the purposes of this Act, there is to be a Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology and a Director of Meteorology.
(2) The Bureau is to be under the charge of the Director, who will, subject to the directions of the Minister, have the general administration of this Act.
6 Functions of the Bureau
(1) The functions of the Bureau are:
(a) the taking and recording of meteorological observations and other observations required for the purposes of meteorology; and
(b) the forecasting of weather and of the state of the atmosphere; and
(c) the issue of warnings of gales, storms and other weather conditions likely to endanger life or property, including weather conditions likely to give rise to floods…
Overview
The Meteorology Act 1955 was enacted by the Australian Parliament to establish the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology and outline its functions and powers. The Act was designed to fill a gap in the provision of comprehensive meteorological services and data, which was crucial for various sectors including defence, aviation, shipping, primary production, and general public safety. The Bureau was tasked with taking and recording meteorological observations, forecasting weather, issuing warnings for hazardous weather conditions, supplying meteorological information, and promoting the advancement of meteorological science. The Act also allows the Director of Meteorology to establish offices, make arrangements for observations, communications, and training, and to make charges for services provided under the Act. Over the years, the Act has been amended to reflect changes in administrative practices, integration with other legislative frameworks, and the evolving needs of the meteorological service, including the introduction of advertising guidelines in 2014.
Scope and Application
The Meteorology Act 1955 applies to the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology and the Director of Meteorology, establishing the Bureau and outlining its functions and powers. These functions include taking and recording meteorological observations, forecasting weather, issuing warnings, supplying meteorological information, publishing reports and bulletins, and promoting the advancement of meteorological science. The Act extends to all territories of Australia, with the Minister having the authority to declare that it ceases to extend to a specified territory by notice in the Gazette. The Director is empowered to establish meteorological offices and observing stations, arrange for observations and transmission of reports and information, arrange for communication means, and provide training in meteorology. The Act also allows the Bureau to include advertising on its services and for the Director to make charges for forecasts, information, advice, services, and publications. Additionally, the Act provides for the application of the finance law to the Bureau, designating it as a listed entity and outlining the roles of the Director and officials within the Bureau. The Act can be further implemented and detailed through regulations made by the Governor-General, which must be consistent with the Act.
Key Provisions
- The Meteorology Act 1955 (the Act) establishes the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology and outlines its functions and powers. Section 6 of the Act sets out the Bureau’s functions, which include the taking and recording of meteorological observations, weather forecasting, issuing warnings for hazardous weather conditions, supplying meteorological information, and promoting the use and advancement of meteorological science. The Bureau is also mandated to cooperate with other countries’ meteorological services.
- The Director of Meteorology, under the supervision of the Minister, is responsible for the general administration of the Act and has the authority to establish meteorological offices and observing stations, arrange for the taking of observations, make arrangements for the transmission of meteorological reports and information, and arrange for the training of personnel in meteorology. Section 7A of the Act allows the Bureau to include advertising on, in or in connection with its services, with the Director required to develop and publish guidelines relating to advertising. The Director also has the authority to make charges for services, forecasts, information, advice, and publications provided under the Act, subject to any directions of the Minister (Section 8).
- The Act imposes obligations on the Bureau to perform its functions in the public interest, particularly for the purposes of defence, navigation, civil aviation, and to assist in primary production, industry, trade, and commerce. The Act also requires the Director to develop and publish guidelines for advertising and ensures that the Bureau operates within the framework of the finance law, with the Director acting as the accountable authority for the Bureau of Meteorology.
- Breach of the Act’s provisions may result in civil or criminal penalties depending on the nature and severity of the breach. However, the Act does not specify particular offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches. Any enforcement actions would likely be pursued under related legislation or common law principles.
- Area of Law
- Environmental Law
- Instrument
- Act
- Concepts
- Definitions & Interpretation
- Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
- Enforcement Powers
- Regulatory Standards
