National Security (Economic Organization) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1947, No. 69, made under the Defence (Transitional Provisions) Act 1946, introduce amendments to the National Security (Economic Organization) Regulations. This legislative instrument was enacted to address transitional economic provisions following the end of World War II, ensuring that economic controls implemented during the war could be adapted to peacetime conditions. The Defence (Transitional Provisions) Act 1946 was enacted by the Australian Parliament, aiming to provide for the winding up of certain wartime powers and the transition to peacetime economic regulation. This particular regulation, dated 4th June 1947, was made with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and signed by the Governor-General, W. J. McKell, on behalf of the Minister of State for Post-war Reconstruction. The amendment seeks to refine economic controls by altering permissible rates in the coal mining industry, transferring the responsibility for certain regulatory matters to the Chairman of the Joint Coal Board.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1947, No. 69, made under the Defence (Transitional Provisions) Act 1946, amend the National Security (Economic Organization) Regulations to alter the rates permissible in certain cases. This legislation applies specifically to the coal mining industry, including the shale mining industry, and pertains to the authority responsible for such matters. The amendment replaces the existing paragraph in Regulation 18 with a new paragraph, delegating authority over these matters to the Chairman of the Joint Coal Board. The regulations are part of a broader legislative framework enacted to manage the transition of defence provisions to post-war economic organisation, reflecting the Commonwealth's jurisdictional reach. The scope of the amendment is confined to the specific industries mentioned and does not extend to other sectors unless otherwise indicated by subsequent legislative instruments.

Key Provisions

This statutory rule, made under the Defence (Transitional Provisions) Act 1946, amends the National Security (Economic Organization) Regulations to change the authority responsible for certain matters in the coal mining industry. Specifically, Regulation 18 is altered so that decisions relating to this sector are now to be directed to the Chairman of the Joint Coal Board (Regulation 18(3)(a)). The regulation is effective as of its notification in the Commonwealth Gazette on 5th June, 1947, and builds on previous amendments made under the same act and the National Security Act 1939-1946. This change aims to streamline the administrative process for economic matters within the coal mining industry, ensuring that decisions are made by the appropriate authority with the requisite expertise and oversight. Entities and individuals within the coal mining industry, including the shale mining industry, must now direct their inquiries or appeals related to economic organisation matters to the Chairman of the Joint Coal Board. This shift in responsibility ensures that the Joint Coal Board, which has a specific mandate in overseeing the coal industry, is now the central point of contact for such issues. The obligation on these entities is to ensure that any regulatory or economic queries or disputes are communicated to the correct authority, facilitating a more efficient and effective governance structure. Failure to comply with the provisions of this regulation could result in various consequences, depending on the nature of the non-compliance. While the specific penalties for breaches are not detailed in the statutory rule itself, breaches of regulations typically attract penalties under the parent acts or other relevant legislation. These could include fines, administrative actions, or more severe penalties if the breach is deemed significant or repeated. The exact consequences would be determined by the relevant authorities interpreting the regulations within the broader legal framework.