Raw Cotton Bounty Act 1969

Overview

The Raw Cotton Bounty Act 1969 was enacted to amend the Raw Cotton Bounty Act 1963-1968, addressing the need to adjust the bounty scheme for raw cotton. The Act was assented to on 30 April 1969 and came into operation on 1 March 1969. Enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, the legislation introduced specific amendments to the Principal Act, including changes to the period covered by the bounty scheme, the limit of available bounty for different periods, and the requirement for the quality of raw cotton eligible for bounty. These amendments reflect an objective to provide clarity and adjustments to the bounty scheme in response to changing economic and industry conditions at the time.

Scope and Application

The Raw Cotton Bounty Act 1969 applies to the bounty payments for raw cotton, extending the period of the bounty from two to five years as specified in the Act. The Act amends the Raw Cotton Bounty Act 1963-1968, referred to as the Principal Act, which is now cited as the Raw Cotton Bounty Act 1963-1969 following the amendments. This Act is of national application within the Commonwealth of Australia and regulates the bounty payments for raw cotton over the specified period. The bounty payments are limited to specific amounts for each year beginning from 1 March 1969, with a decreasing scale of Four million dollars for 1969, Three million dollars for 1970, and Two million dollars for 1971. The bounty is conditional on the raw cotton meeting a minimum quality standard, specifically a staple length of not less than seven-eighths of an inch. The Act does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond these parameters and does not mention the extension or restriction of application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Raw Cotton Bounty Act 1969 introduces significant amendments to the Raw Cotton Bounty Act 1963-1968, primarily focusing on the period for which the bounty applies, the limit of available bounty, and the quality requirements for raw cotton. The Act commences on 1 March 1969, as outlined in section 2. Section 3 modifies the definition of the "period to which this Act applies" by extending it from two to five years. This change is crucial for understanding the scope and duration of the bounty provisions. Section 4 of the Act introduces new subsections under section 8 of the Principal Act, establishing specific limits on the bounty payments for different periods. For the period starting on 1 March 1969, the bounty limit is set at Four million dollars (subsection 1a). For the subsequent period starting on 1 March 1970, the limit is reduced to Three million dollars (subsection 1b), and for the period beginning on 1 March 1971, it is further reduced to Two million dollars (subsection 1c). These provisions ensure that the bounty payments are allocated in a structured manner over the specified periods. Section 5 of the Act amends section 9 of the Principal Act by adding a new requirement for raw cotton to have a staple length of not less than seven-eighths of an inch to be eligible for the bounty. This amendment underscores the importance of the quality of raw cotton, ensuring that only cotton meeting specific standards can qualify for the bounty payment. In terms of obligations, the Act imposes specific requirements on parties eligible for bounty payments, such as adherence to the defined period, ensuring that the raw cotton meets the specified quality and staple length requirements. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in forfeiture of the bounty. Offences and penalties for breach of the Act are not explicitly detailed within the provided text. However, under general principles of Australian law, breaches of such legislative provisions could potentially lead to civil or criminal consequences, including fines or other penalties as determined by relevant courts. The specific nature and extent of these consequences would depend on the particular circumstances of the breach and the applicable legal frameworks.