PROCESSED MILK PRODUCTS BOUNTY.
No. 39 of 1964.
An Act to amend the Processed Milk Products Bounty Act 1962-1963.
[Assented to 28th May, 1964.]
[Date of commencement, 25th June, 1964.]
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 Processed Milk Products Bounty Act 1964.
(2.) The Processed Milk Products Bounty Act 1962-1963 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.
(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Processed Milk Products Bounty Act 1962-1964.
Definitions.
2. Section three of the Principal Act is amended by omitting the definition of “the prescribed period” and inserting in its stead the following definition:—
“‘the prescribed period’ means the period commencing on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-three, and ending on the thirtieth day of June, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-five.”.
3. Section six of the Principal Act is repealed and the following section inserted in its stead:—
Limit of bounty.
“6.—(1.) The amount available for payment of the bounty—
(a) in respect of processed milk products exported during the period commencing on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-three, and ending on the thirtieth day of June, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-four, is Five hundred thousand pounds; or
(b) in respect of processed milk products exported during the period commencing on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-four, and ending on the thirtieth day of June, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-five, is Four hundred thousand pounds.
“(2.) Where the amount available for the payment of bounty in respect of processed milk products exported during a period referred to in the last preceding sub-section is insufficient for the payment in full of all valid claims, the bounty otherwise payable in respect of each of those claims shall be reduced to an amount that bears the same proportion to the amount of the claim as the amount so available bears to the total amount of all such claims.
“(3.) If the Minister is of the opinion that the amount available for the payment of bounty in respect of processed milk products exported during a period referred to in sub-section (1.) of this section will be insufficient for the payment in full of all valid claims, he may withhold payment of the whole or any part of the bounty otherwise payable upon any such claim until he has ascertained the total amount of all such claims.”.
Interim rates of bounty.
4. Section seven of the Principal Act is amended—
(a) by omitting the words “the prescribed period” (first occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “a period referred to in sub-section (1.) of the last preceding section”;
(b) by omitting from paragraph (a) of sub-section (1.) the words “the prescribed” and inserting in their stead the word “that”;
(c) by inserting in paragraph (b) of that sub-section, after the word “bounty”, the words “during that period”; and
(d) by omitting from paragraph (c) of that sub-section the words “the prescribed” and inserting in their stead the word “that”.
Overview
The Processed Milk Products Bounty Act 1964 was enacted by the Australian Parliament to amend the Processed Milk Products Bounty Act 1962-1963, providing updated definitions and limits for the bounty on processed milk products exported during specified periods. The Act was introduced to ensure that the bounty provisions remained relevant and effective in supporting the dairy industry. The problem it addressed was the need to adjust the bounty limits and definitions to reflect changes in the export period and the available budget for such payments.
The policy objective of the Act was to maintain a structured approach to supporting the export of processed milk products by ensuring that the bounty amounts were appropriately allocated and managed within the fiscal years specified. This was achieved by setting specific bounty limits for the periods commencing on 1 July 1963 and ending on 30 June 1964 and 1965, and by introducing mechanisms to adjust bounty payments proportionally if the available funds were insufficient. The Act also aimed to provide clarity and continuity in the legal framework governing the bounty payments, thereby supporting the dairy industry's export activities.
Scope and Application
The Processed Milk Products Bounty Act 1962-1964 applies to entities involved in the export of processed milk products within the specified period of 1 July 1963 to 30 June 1965. This Act serves as an amendment to the original Processed Milk Products Bounty Act 1962-1963, adjusting the bounty limits and periods for which the bounty applies. The Act is applicable on a national level across Australia, ensuring a standardised approach to bounty payments for exports during the specified period. The Act defines the bounty amounts for the periods of 1 July 1963 to 30 June 1964 and 1 July 1964 to 30 June 1965, with provisions for pro-rata reductions if the available bounty amount is insufficient to cover all valid claims. Additionally, the Minister has the authority to withhold bounty payments if deemed necessary to manage the available funds effectively. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, and its application may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as deemed necessary by the relevant authorities.
Key Provisions
The Processed Milk Products Bounty Act 1964 amends the Processed Milk Products Bounty Act 1962-1963, and it introduces several key changes. Firstly, it revises the definition of "the prescribed period" to specify the period from 1 July 1963 to 30 June 1965 (section 2). It also repeals and replaces section six of the Principal Act to detail the limits of the bounty available for processed milk products exported during two distinct periods: from 1 July 1963 to 30 June 1964, and from 1 July 1964 to 30 June 1965 (section 3). The Act sets a bounty of £500,000 for the first period and £400,000 for the second period. If the available bounty is insufficient to cover all valid claims, the bounty payable on each claim will be proportionately reduced (section 3(2)). The Minister may also withhold payment of the bounty until the total amount of all valid claims is ascertained (section 3(3)).
The Act imposes certain obligations on parties involved in the export of processed milk products. For instance, it mandates that exporters must submit valid claims for the bounty within the stipulated periods. The Act further requires the Minister to review and manage the distribution of the bounty, ensuring that the claims are processed fairly and efficiently. This includes the responsibility to withhold payments if necessary to manage the bounty fund effectively (section 3(3)). Additionally, the Act specifies interim rates of bounty for processed milk products exported during the designated periods, providing clarity on the amount that can be claimed by exporters (section 4).
In terms of compliance, breaches of the provisions outlined in the Act may lead to civil or criminal consequences. Although the specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the provided text, it is implied that failure to comply with the bounty claim processes, fraudulent claims, or misrepresentation of exported quantities could result in legal actions. Typically, such breaches could lead to fines or other penalties as stipulated under the broader legislative framework governing bounties and subsidies in Australia. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, but they could range from financial penalties to legal sanctions.