National Security (Wheat Harvest Employment) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1942 No. 487, made under the National Security Act 1939-1940, amends the National Security (Wheat Harvest Employment) Regulations to broaden the scope of employment for agricultural activities during the wheat harvest season. The regulations were introduced by the Deputy of the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, Winston Dugan, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. This legislative instrument aims to facilitate the employment of individuals in harvesting and cutting for hay a range of grain crops, specifically wheat, oats, barley, and rye, sown during the year 1942, addressing the need to mobilise labour for critical agricultural tasks in support of national security efforts during wartime.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules of 1942, No. 487, made under the National Security Act 1939-1940, are amendments to the National Security (Wheat Harvest Employment) Regulations. These regulations primarily concern the employment and management of labour during the wheat harvest season, specifically focusing on the harvesting of grain and hay from certain crops sown in the year 1942. The amendments extend the scope of the original regulations to include not just wheat, but also oats, barley, and rye for grain, as well as wheat and oats for cutting for hay. This broadening of the regulation's focus reflects a strategic effort to manage agricultural labour more comprehensively in the context of national security concerns during wartime. The regulations apply to the functions of the Commission and the committees established under the Act, ensuring that the broader range of crops is covered by the employment directives intended to support the national agricultural effort. The geographic reach of these regulations is nationwide, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, and they do not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the provided text.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1942, No. 487, made under the National Security Act 1939-1940, amend the National Security (Wheat Harvest Employment) Regulations to expand the scope of grain and hay work covered by the regulations. Specifically, Regulation 3 is amended to include the harvesting for grain and hay of wheat, oats, barley, and rye sown during the year 1942 (Regulation 1(a)). Regulation 9 is similarly amended in paragraphs (a) and (b) to reflect the expanded scope (Regulation 2(a) and (b)). Furthermore, Regulation 10 is amended to cover the same range of grain and hay work (Regulation 3). These amendments impose obligations on the relevant parties to ensure that the expanded range of grain and hay work is managed under the regulatory framework established by the National Security Act 1939-1940. The Commission and the committees responsible for overseeing the wheat harvest employment must now also account for the harvesting and cutting for hay of oats, barley, and rye sown in 1942. This includes ensuring that there is adequate employment and coordination of resources for these additional agricultural activities. Failure to comply with the amended regulations could result in legal consequences. While the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the Statutory Rules 1942, No. 487, breaches of regulations made under the National Security Act 1939-1940 could potentially lead to fines or other penalties as prescribed by the primary Act or related legislation. 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.