Phosphate Fertilizers Bounty
No. 66 of 1969
An Act relating to the payment of Bounty on the Production of certain Phosphate Fertilizers.
[Assented to 12 September 1969]
BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—
Short title and citation.
1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Phosphate Fertilizers Bounty Act 1969.
(2.) The Phosphate Fertilizers Bounty Act 1963–1968 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.
(3) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Phosphate Fertilizers Bounty Act 1963–1969.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall be deemed to have come into operation on the thirteenth day of August, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-nine.
Rate of bounty in respect of superphosphate.
3. Section 8 of the Principal Act is amended—
(a) by omitting from sub-section (1.) the words “Eight dollars” and inserting in their stead the words “Twelve dollars”;
(b) by omitting from sub-section (2.) the words “Forty dollars” and inserting in their stead the words “Sixty dollars”; and
(c) by omitting from sub-section (3.) the words “Eight dollars” and inserting in their stead the words “Twelve dollars”.
Rate of bounty in respect of ammonium phosphate.
4. Section 9 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting the words “Forty dollars” and inserting in their stead the words “Sixty dollars”.
Application.
5. The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, applies in respect of superphosphate and ammonium phosphate used before the date of commencement of this Act in the production of a fertilizer mixture but not sold before that date.
Overview
The Phosphate Fertilizers Bounty Act 1969 was enacted to address issues related to the production of certain phosphate fertilizers by adjusting the bounty rates for superphosphate and ammonium phosphate. The Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia, seeking to amend the existing Phosphate Fertilizers Bounty Act 1963–1968, thereby updating and expanding its scope. This legislative effort aimed to support the agricultural sector by providing financial incentives for the production of essential fertilizers, thereby potentially boosting agricultural productivity and economic stability in the sector. The updated bounty rates sought to reflect the evolving economic conditions and the importance of fertilisers in maintaining agricultural output.
Scope and Application
The Phosphate Fertilizers Bounty Act 1969 applies to the production of certain phosphate fertilizers, specifically superphosphate and ammonium phosphate, and governs the payment of a bounty on these substances as amended by this Act. This legislation amends the previous Phosphate Fertilizers Bounty Act 1963–1968, thereby extending its application to include the new bounty rates for the specified fertilizers. The Act applies to entities involved in the production of these fertilizers, ensuring that they receive the updated bounty rates for their products used in the creation of fertilizer mixtures prior to the commencement of this Act, though not sold before that date. The geographic reach of this Act is national, as it is a Commonwealth Act, affecting all relevant industries and persons within Australia. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in the text provided, and while the Act itself does not explicitly mention subordinate instruments, it is common for such Acts to be supplemented by regulations or rules that further define the scope and application of the primary legislation.
Key Provisions
The Phosphate Fertilizers Bounty Act 1969 (sections 1 to 5) establishes the framework for the payment of a bounty on the production of certain phosphate fertilizers, specifically superphosphate and ammonium phosphate. This Act amends the earlier Phosphate Fertilizers Bounty Act 1963–1968 (referred to as the Principal Act) by increasing the rates of bounty payable for these fertilizers. The amended Act, now titled the Phosphate Fertilizers Bounty Act 1963–1969, applies to fertilizers used in the production of a mixture before the Act's commencement date but not sold before that date.
The operative sections of the Act (sections 3 and 4) revise the bounty rates. Specifically, section 3 raises the bounty for superphosphate from Eight dollars to Twelve dollars per ton, while section 4 increases the bounty for ammonium phosphate from Forty dollars to Sixty dollars per ton. These amendments are designed to reflect updated economic conditions or to provide additional incentive for the production of these fertilizers.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Producers of superphosphate and ammonium phosphate must ensure that these fertilizers are used in the production of a fertilizer mixture before the Act's commencement date. Additionally, they must adhere to the new bounty rates specified in the amended sections. The Act also requires that any claims for bounty be made in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Act, as amended.
In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach. However, any failure to adhere to the new bounty rates or the requirements for claiming the bounty could potentially lead to disputes or legal action under the terms of the amended Principal Act. Producers who do not correctly apply for the increased bounty may face financial penalties or be subject to corrective measures to ensure compliance with the Act's provisions.