Sale of Meteorological Publications Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Provisional Regulation under the Meteorology Act 1906, issued on the 20th of February 1911, was enacted to address the need for a streamlined process in the sale of meteorological publications due to the urgency of the matter. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Governor-General in Council, on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The policy objective behind this regulation was to ensure that meteorological publications issued by the Meteorological Bureau could be made available to the public at a consistent and affordable price, thereby facilitating access to essential weather-related information. The regulation amended the existing provisions concerning the sale of such publications, specifying that those not listed in the original pricing list could be sold at a uniform rate of six pence per copy. This regulatory approach aimed to prevent discrepancies in pricing and maintain transparency in the dissemination of meteorological data and information.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulation under the Meteorology Act 1906 pertains to the sale of meteorological publications issued by the Meteorological Bureau, applying to any person or entity seeking to purchase such publications. The regulation establishes the pricing for meteorological bulletins and pamphlets that do not have their price specifically indicated in a previously listed schedule, setting the price at Sixpence per copy. It is a Commonwealth regulation, thus it applies across the entire nation, impacting individuals, businesses, and other entities within Australia that engage in the purchase of meteorological materials. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, meaning that all unlisted meteorological publications are subject to the stipulated pricing. This regulation, being a provisional measure, extends its application solely to the specified publications and their sale, without broader implications on other activities or entities unless they directly involve the sale of these publications.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Provisional Regulation under the Meteorology Act 1906, specifically Regulation No. 1 of the Regulations relating to the sale of Meteorological Publications, introduce an amendment that allows for the sale of other similar bulletins and pamphlets issued by the Meteorological Bureau at a specified price. Section 1 of the Regulation states that these unspecified publications may be sold at the price of Sixpence per copy, as detailed in the newly added paragraph. This amendment provides a clear pricing structure for publications that were not previously covered by the existing list, ensuring consistency and transparency in sales. The obligations imposed by this Regulation primarily concern the Meteorological Bureau and entities responsible for selling its publications. The Bureau must ensure that any bulletins and pamphlets not previously listed in the original Regulation are sold at the new price of Sixpence per copy, as mandated by the amendment. This requirement ensures that the pricing for all publications is standardised, thereby avoiding any confusion or inconsistency in sales practices. There are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined in the Regulation for breach of its provisions. However, failure to adhere to the stipulated pricing could potentially lead to issues regarding the integrity of the Bureau’s sales practices and the uniformity of its publication distribution. While the Regulation does not explicitly state penalties, any breaches of this kind could be addressed under broader provisions of the Meteorology Act 1906 or related administrative guidelines, potentially leading to corrective actions or administrative penalties as deemed necessary by the relevant authorities.