Post and Telegraph
No. 149 of 1965
An Act to amend the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961 in relation to Decimal Currency.
[Assented to 18 December, 1965]
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 Post and Telegraph Act 1965.
(2.) The Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1965.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the fourteenth day of February, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-six.
Undelivered postal articles.
3. Section 46 of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961 is amended—
(a) by omitting from sub-section (2.) the words “, and which is transmissible at a rate of not less than One penny for two ounces,”; and
(b) by omitting sub-section (3.).
Validity and value of postage stamps issued in former currency.
4.—(1.) During the period from and including the fourteenth day of February, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-six, to and including the thirteenth day of February, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight, postage stamps indicating an amount in the currency provided for by the Coinage Act 1909-1947 may be used for any purpose for which postage stamps may be used under a law in force in the Commonwealth.
(2.) The equivalent amount in the currency provided for by the Currency Act 1965 to an amount in the currency provided for by the Coinage Act 1909-1947 indicated on a postage stamp shall, subject to the next succeeding sub-section, be calculated on the basis of the equivalents specified in sub-section (4.) of section 8 of the Currency Act 1965.
(3.) Where the amount indicated in the currency provided for by the Coinage Act 1907-1947 on a postage stamp is an amount of shillings and pence or pence, the corresponding amount in the
currency provided for by the Currency Act 1965 shall be calculated on the basis that an amount of pence specified in the first column in the table set out in sub-section (3.) of section 11 of the Currency Act 1965 corresponds to the amount of cents specified in the second column of that table opposite to that amount of pence.
Exchange of stamps issued in former currency.
5.—(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-section, during the period from and including the fourteenth day of February, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-six, to and including the thirteenth day of February, One thousand nine hundred and seventy-one, postage stamps indicating an amount in the currency provided for by the Coinage Act 1909-1947 may be exchanged at a post office for stamps indicating an amount in the currency provided for by the Currency Act 1965 that is calculated in accordance with the last preceding section.
(2.) Postage stamps indicating an amount in the currency provided for by the Coinage Act 1909-1947 may only be so presented for exchange if the total amount indicated on the stamps presented is Sixpence or a multiple of Sixpence.
Overview
The Post and Telegraph Act 1965, enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, was introduced to facilitate the transition to decimal currency in Australia. This Act amended the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961 to ensure that postal services could smoothly accommodate the shift from the previous currency system to the decimal currency system. It aimed to provide a transitional period where old currency-denominated postage stamps could still be used or exchanged, thereby minimising disruption to postal services and the public. The Act also specified the method of calculating the equivalent value of the old currency on postage stamps in terms of the new decimal currency, ensuring clarity and continuity in postal transactions during this significant economic change.
Scope and Application
The Post and Telegraph Act 1965 amends the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961 in relation to decimal currency, applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act applies to all persons and entities involved in postal transactions within Australia, including individuals and businesses that use or rely on postal services. The legislation facilitates the transition from the pre-decimal currency system to the decimal currency system by allowing the continued use of existing postage stamps until specific transition dates and providing for the exchange of old stamps for new ones. This Act ensures that the postal service can smoothly adapt to the currency changes while maintaining uninterrupted service. The Act also sets out specific transitional periods during which old stamps can still be used or exchanged, ensuring clarity and minimising disruption for postal service users during the transition.
The Act extends its application through the specified transitional periods and the allowance for exchanging stamps, providing a clear timeline and method for adapting to the new currency. Subordinate instruments may further detail the exchange process and other related administrative procedures. However, the primary focus of the Act is to provide a legal framework for the adaptation of postal services to decimal currency, ensuring that postal services remain accessible and uninterrupted during this significant economic change.
Key Provisions
The Post and Telegraph Act 1965 primarily modifies the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961 to accommodate decimal currency, effective from February 14, 1966. One of the key provisions is the amendment to section 46 of the original Act (section 3 of the 1965 Act), which removes specific transmission rate requirements for undelivered postal articles. Additionally, section 46 (subsection 3) is entirely omitted. Furthermore, section 4 of the 1965 Act allows the continued use of postage stamps denominated in the former currency between February 14, 1966, and February 13, 1968. These stamps are deemed valid for all postal purposes during this period, with their value being converted to the new decimal currency as specified in the Currency Act 1965 (section 8, subsection 4, and section 11, subsection 3).
This Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. The primary obligation is the conversion of postage stamp values from the former currency to the new decimal currency during the transitional period. Postage stamps indicating amounts in the former currency must be exchanged for new ones at post offices between February 14, 1966, and February 13, 1971. Furthermore, only stamps indicating amounts that are sixpence or multiples of sixpence are eligible for exchange. This requirement ensures a systematic transition to the new currency system and helps maintain postal service continuity.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act can lead to civil or criminal consequences. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the text, breaches of postal regulations generally attract fines or other penalties under the broader postal legislation. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as outlined in other relevant laws governing postal services. However, it is clear that adherence to the transitional guidelines and conversion requirements is mandatory to avoid any legal repercussions.