Quarantine Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1923 No. 155, enacted under the authority of the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on advice from the Federal Executive Council, represents a regulatory amendment to the Quarantine Act 1908-1920. This legislative instrument was introduced to address specific logistical concerns regarding maritime quarantine procedures in the Torres Strait, particularly around the operations of vessels requiring a Torres Strait pilot without entering the port of Thursday Island. The objective of this regulation is to provide a practical solution for the inspection and clearance of such vessels between sunset and 10 p.m., ensuring efficient maritime operations while maintaining the integrity of quarantine protocols. By allowing Quarantine Officers to perform inspections and clearances under these conditions, the regulation aims to balance operational needs with the imperative to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Scope and Application

The Quarantine Regulations 1923, issued under the Quarantine Act 1908-1920, specifically amend the Quarantine Regulations 1922 to allow for the inspection and clearance of vessels calling off Goode Island in the Torres Straits for the purpose of picking up a pilot. This amendment applies to any vessel that does not enter the port of Thursday Island, and in such cases, pratique will not be granted beyond this port. These regulations apply to all vessels and persons involved in maritime activities within the specified geographic area of the Torres Straits, thus impacting maritime conduct and transactions within this region. The application of these regulations is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniformity in the implementation of quarantine measures across the nation. The regulations do not exclude any specific persons or entities from their purview, meaning all vessels and personnel operating in the designated area are subject to these provisions. The scope of the regulations extends to all vessels, including those involved in picking up a Torres Straits pilot, subjecting them to inspection by Quarantine Officers within the specified timeframe.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of this legislation are found within the amendment to Regulation 4 of the Quarantine Regulations 1922 (section 2). This amendment allows a Quarantine Officer to inspect and clear vessels calling off Goode Island in the Torres Straits for the purpose of picking up a Torres Straits pilot, provided such vessels do not enter the port of Thursday Island. This specific inspection and clearance can occur between sunset and 10 p.m. and is conditional on the pratique not being granted beyond the port of Thursday Island. This Act imposes certain obligations on Quarantine Officers, who must adhere to the stipulated timeframe for inspections and clearances between sunset and 10 p.m. Additionally, it places a requirement on vessels to ensure they do not enter the port of Thursday Island if they are merely picking up a pilot. The Act also delineates the geographical scope of pratique, ensuring it is limited to the port of Thursday Island. Breaches of these provisions could lead to a variety of consequences. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the excerpt, under the broader Quarantine Act 1908-1920, non-compliance could potentially result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, and in more severe cases, criminal penalties could involve imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as outlined in other sections of the Quarantine Act 1908-1920.