National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1941L00118 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

STATUTORY RULES.

1941. No. 118.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE NATIONAL SECURITY ACT 1939-1940.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the National Security Act 1939-1940.

Dated this twenty-eighth day of May, 1941.

GOWRIE

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

P. A. McBRIDE

for and on behalf of the Minister of State for Defence Co-ordination.

 

Amendments of the National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations.†

Motor spirit not to be acquired without licence, &c.

1. Regulation 16 of the National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations is amended by adding at the end thereof the words “, and, in the case of ration tickets to which sub-regulation (2.) of regulation 21 of these Regulations is applicable, duly endorsed in accordance with that sub-regulation”.

Supply and endorsement of ration tickets.

2. Regulation 21 of the National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations is amended by adding at the end thereof the following sub-regulation:—

“(2.) The licensee shall, as soon as practicable after receipt of any such ration ticket (other than a special bulk ration ticket), endorse in ink on the back thereof the number of the licence, and shall sign his name in ink to the endorsement:

Provided that it shall be a sufficient compliance with this sub-regulation if the endorsement is duly made and signed by an authorized agent of the licensee, and includes the name of the licensee.”.

 

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 28th May, 1941.

† Statutory Rules 1946, No. 203.

2970.—Price 3d.


3. Regulation 24 of the National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—

Motor spirit or diesel oil fuel not to be disposed of without a licence.

“24. Subject to these Regulations, a person shall not dispose of motor spirit or diesel oil fuel in any part of the Commonwealth (other than the Northern Territory) except:—

(a) under and in pursuance of a motor spirit or diesel oil fuel bulk supplier’s or retailer’s licence, as the case may be; and

(b) in the case of disposals by a bulk supplier, to the holder of a motor spirit or diesel oil fuel consumer’s or retailer’s licence, as the case may be, or, in the case of disposals by a retailer, to the holder of a motor spirit or diesel oil fuel consumer’s licence, as the case may be.”.

Disposal of motor spirit &c., to licensed consumers.

4. Regulation 27 of the National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from paragraph (c) of sub-regulation (1.) the words “this regulation” and inserting in their stead the words “regulation 21 of these Regulations”; and

(b) by omitting sub-regulation (2.).

Production and return of licence.

5. Regulation 37 of the National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations is amended by inserting after sub-regulation (1.) the following sub-regulation:—

“(1a.) Any holder of a motor spirit or diesel oil fuel consumer’s licence containing a description of an occupation, business or profession who ceases to use the vehicle or engine referred to in the licence in connexion with that occupation, business or profession shall, within seven days thereafter, return the licence to the Liquid Fuel Control Board by which it was granted.”.

6. After regulation 51 of the National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations the following regulation is inserted:—

Copying ration tickets and licences.

“51a.—(1.) A person shall not without the authority of the Board (proof whereof shall lie upon him) make or have in his possession—

(a) any copy of a ration ticket or of a licence; or

(b) any writing, engraving, photograph or print resembling either a ration ticket or a licence, or apparently intended to be or pass for a copy of a ration ticket or a licence.

“(2.) In this regulation the expression ‘copy of a ration ticket or of a licence’ includes any representation of a ration ticket or of a licence in any size or scale.”.

7. After regulation 53 of the National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations the following regulations are inserted:—

Proof of resolutions of Board.

“53a. A copy of a minute recording a resolution or direction of the Board under or pursuant to these Regulations, and a copy of any exhibit, appendix or schedule referred to in or attached to any such minute, certified to be a true copy by a memorandum signed by the Controller or the Secretary to the Board shall be admissible before all


courts and in all legal proceedings as evidence of the due adoption of that resolution or giving of that direction, and as evidence of any such exhibit, appendix or schedule.

Evidence regarding ration tickets.

“53b. A certificate in writing signed by the Controller or the Secretary to the Board certifying that no person, other than the persons named in the certificate, has been authorized by the Board to make any die, plate or other instrument for use in the printing of ration tickets, shall be prima facie evidence of the matters stated in the certificate”.

 

By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1941 No. 118, known as the Regulations under the National Security Act 1939-1940, were enacted to address the urgent need for stringent controls on the distribution and use of liquid fuel during wartime. The National Security Act 1939-1940 provided the legal framework for the Australian Government to implement these regulations, which were necessary to manage the limited resources of liquid fuel effectively and ensure they were allocated efficiently for national security purposes. These regulations were introduced by the Federal Executive Council and the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Minister of State for Defence Co-ordination. The overarching policy objective was to maintain strict oversight and control over the supply and distribution of motor spirit and diesel oil fuel, thereby supporting the war effort and safeguarding the nation's security.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the National Security Act 1939-1940, particularly as amended by Statutory Rules 1941, No. 118, pertain to the control and licensing of the acquisition, supply, and disposal of motor spirit and diesel oil fuel across the Commonwealth, with the exception of the Northern Territory. These regulations apply to persons and entities involved in the trade and distribution of liquid fuels, mandating that these activities must be conducted under a valid licence issued by the Liquid Fuel Control Board. This includes the requirement for ration tickets to be duly endorsed and signed, either by the licensee or an authorised agent, to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework. The regulations also specify that motor spirit and diesel oil fuel can only be disposed of to licensed consumers, reinforcing the need for adherence to licensing requirements throughout the supply chain. Furthermore, the regulations include provisions for the return of licences by consumers who cease to use the fuel in relation to their specified occupation, business, or profession, and prohibit the making or possession of unauthorised copies of ration tickets or licences, with strict penalties for non-compliance. The regulations extend to the admissibility of certified copies of Board resolutions and certificates as evidence in legal proceedings, thereby ensuring the enforceability and transparency of the regulatory measures.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1941, No. 118, made under the National Security Act 1939-1940, introduce several amendments and new regulations to the National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations. Regulation 16 now requires that any acquisition of motor spirit must be accompanied by a ration ticket, which must be duly endorsed (Regulation 16). Regulation 21 is amended to require that ration tickets must be endorsed by the licensee with the licence number and signature, or by an authorised agent (Regulation 21(2)). Regulation 24 is repealed and replaced with a new regulation that prohibits the disposal of motor spirit or diesel oil fuel without a licence (Regulation 24). Regulation 37 is amended to require the return of a motor spirit or diesel oil fuel consumer's licence if the vehicle or engine is no longer used for the specified occupation, business or profession (Regulation 37(1a)). Additionally, new Regulation 51a prohibits the possession of any copy of a ration ticket or licence without authority (Regulation 51a). Finally, Regulation 53a and 53b provide for the admissibility of certain documents as evidence in legal proceedings (Regulation 53a and 53b). These regulations impose several obligations on parties and entities. Motor spirit or diesel oil fuel may only be acquired and disposed of by those with the appropriate licence, and the ration tickets must be endorsed by the licensee or an authorised agent (Regulations 16, 21, 24). Licences must be returned if the vehicle or engine is no longer used in the specified occupation, business or profession (Regulation 37(1a)). Any copying of ration tickets or licences without authority is prohibited (Regulation 51a). These regulations are designed to ensure that the distribution and use of motor spirit and diesel oil fuel is controlled and monitored to support national security objectives. Breaches of these regulations can result in civil and criminal penalties. Possessing a copy of a ration ticket or licence without authority is an offence (Regulation 51a(1)). The regulations do not specify maximum penalties, but breaches could lead to fines or other legal consequences under the National Security Act 1939-1940 or other relevant laws. Additionally, providing false evidence or making false representations in legal proceedings could lead to further criminal charges. Compliance with these regulations is essential to avoid legal repercussions and to support national security efforts.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
National Security Law
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Licensing & Registration
Prohibited Conduct
Enforcement Powers

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.