National Security (Timber Control) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1946 No. 105, made under the National Security Act 1939-1946, amends the National Security (Timber Control) Regulations to shift the administration and control of timber resources from the Department of Works and Housing to the Department of the Interior. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Governor-General in Council to streamline and centralise the oversight of timber control during a period of national security concern. The regulations came into effect on 1 July 1946, ensuring that any existing orders, requirements, or directions under the previous regulations remained in force but were now attributed to the Controller of Timber of the Department of the Interior. The intent behind these amendments was to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of timber control measures in support of national security objectives.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules of 1946, No. 105, made under the National Security Act 1939-1946, focus on amending the National Security (Timber Control) Regulations. These regulations apply to the control and administration of timber resources within the Commonwealth of Australia, and the amendments shift the administrative authority from the Department of Works and Housing to the Department of the Interior. The regulations govern the persons and entities involved in the timber industry, including suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors, and regulate their conduct and transactions concerning timber. These regulations have a national reach, impacting all states and territories within Australia. Notably, the regulations do not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, implying that the control measures apply broadly to the timber industry unless otherwise specified in subordinate instruments. Any orders, requirements, or directions in effect under the previous regulations continue to be valid, with the authority now vested in the Controller of Timber of the Department of the Interior.

Key Provisions

The Regulations made under the National Security Act 1939-1946 primarily amend the National Security (Timber Control) Regulations. These amendments come into effect on the first of July 1946. The key change is the replacement of references to the Department of Works and Housing with the Department of the Interior, particularly in relation to the role of the Controller of Timber (sections 2 and 3). This shift indicates that the Department of the Interior will now oversee timber control under the regulations. These Regulations impose several obligations on the parties they govern. Specifically, any orders, requirements, or directions issued under the previous regulations and still in effect prior to the commencement of these Regulations will continue to apply. However, they will be treated as if they were made by the Controller of Timber of the Department of the Interior (section 4). This continuity ensures that existing measures remain in place while the administrative oversight shifts to the new department. Breaches of the regulations, while not explicitly stated in these provisions, would likely result in penalties under the overarching National Security Act 1939-1946. Typically, such breaches could incur civil or criminal penalties, potentially including fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the violation and the specific provisions of the broader Act. The exact penalties would be determined in the context of the National Security Act, but the regulations' strict enforcement underscores the gravity of non-compliance in matters of national security.