RABBIT SKINS EXPORT CHARGES.
No. 35 of 1940.
An Act to impose a Charge on the Export of Rabbit Skins.
[Assented to 3rd June, 1940.]
BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—
Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the Rabbit Skins Export Charges Act 1940.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Definitions.
3. In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—
“the Australian Rabbit Skins Board” means the Australian Rabbit Skins Board constituted under the Rabbit Shins Export Charges Appropriation Act 1940.
Charges on export of rabbit skins.
4.—(1.) A charge is imposed and shall be levied and paid on all rabbit skins exported from the Commonwealth after a date to be fixed by Proclamation.
(2.) The rate of charge shall be as prescribed, after report to the Minister by the Australian Rabbit Skins Board, but shall not in any case exceed ninepence for each pound of rabbit skins exported.
(3.) All moneys payable under this section in respect of any rabbit skins shall be paid, on or before the entry of the rabbit skins for export, to such officers as are prescribed.
Exemption from charge.
5.—(1.) The Governor-General may, from time to time, by order published in the Gazette, after report to the Minister by the Australian Rabbit Skins Board, exempt any rabbit skins from the charge imposed by or under this Act.
(2.) Any exemption under this section may be unconditional or subject to such conditions, and shall apply in respect of such period (if any), as are specified in the order of exemption.
(3.) The Governor-General may, by order published in the Gazette, cancel any exemption made under this section of any rabbit skins from the charge imposed by or under this Act, and thereupon that charge shall, from the date fixed by the order, become payable in respect of those rabbit skins.
Regulations.
6. The Governor-General may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing all matters which are by this Act required or permitted to be prescribed or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed, for carrying out or giving effect to this Act, and in particular for prescribing the rate of the charge imposed by this Act.
Duration of Act.
7. This Act shall continue in force until a date to be fixed by Proclamation as the date upon which the Act shall cease to be in force.
Overview
The Rabbit Skins Export Charges Act 1940 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to address the economic challenges associated with the export of rabbit skins. The Act was assented to on 3rd June 1940, and it introduced a charge on the export of rabbit skins to generate revenue and potentially manage the rabbit population, which was seen as a significant agricultural pest at the time. The Australian Rabbit Skins Board, constituted under the Rabbit Skins Export Charges Appropriation Act 1940, was tasked with recommending the charge rates, which were to be set by the Governor-General. The Act allowed for exemptions from the charge under certain conditions, and it provided the framework for the Board to report to the Minister for subsequent approval. The Act was intended to be temporary, with its duration and cessation date to be determined by a future proclamation.
Scope and Application
The Rabbit Skins Export Charges Act 1940 applies to all rabbit skins exported from the Commonwealth of Australia, imposing a specific charge on such exports, which must be paid before the skins are entered for export. The act applies to entities or individuals exporting rabbit skins from Australia and does not specify exclusions beyond those that may be set by the Governor-General through orders published in the Gazette. The Governor-General has the authority to exempt certain rabbit skins from the charge or to cancel such exemptions, subject to conditions and periods as specified in the orders. The act also authorises the Governor-General to make regulations necessary for its implementation, including setting the rate of the charge, which cannot exceed nine pence per pound of rabbit skins. This act is a federal law and applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, with its reach determined by the national government. The act remains in force until a specified date determined by proclamation, at which point it will cease to be in force.
Key Provisions
The Rabbit Skins Export Charges Act 1940 primarily focuses on imposing a charge on the export of rabbit skins from Australia, which is levied by the Australian Rabbit Skins Board (section 4(1)). The charge, which cannot exceed nine pence for each pound of rabbit skins exported, is to be determined by the Board, subject to ministerial approval (section 4(2)). Payments are to be made to designated officers before the skins are entered for export (section 4(3)). Additionally, the Governor-General has the authority to exempt certain rabbit skins from this charge, either unconditionally or with specified conditions, which can be revoked at any time (section 5).
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. The Australian Rabbit Skins Board is tasked with recommending the charge rate to the Minister, which must then be reported to the Governor-General for consideration and publication (section 4(2)). Exporters of rabbit skins must ensure that the applicable charges are paid to the prescribed officers before the skins are entered for export (section 4(3)). Furthermore, the Board must report to the Minister and the Governor-General regarding any exemptions from the charge (section 5(1)).
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act may result in various consequences. Specifically, the Act does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, but the imposition of charges and the requirement to make timely payments to designated officers suggests that failure to do so could result in civil liabilities or administrative penalties. The Act provides a framework for the regulation and imposition of charges but does not detail the specific enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance within its text.