Spirits Regulations (Amendment)

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au F1997B02128 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES

1972 No. 94

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE SPIRITS ACT 1906-1969.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Spirits Act 1906-1969.

Dated this twenty-third day of June, 1972.

Paul Hasluck

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Minister of State for Supply for and on behalf of the Minister of State for Customs and Excise.

 

Amendments of the Spirits Regulations†

1. These Regulations shall come into operation on the first day of July, 1972.

2. Regulation 8 of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the figure and word “2 inches” and inserting in their stead the figures and word “50 millimetres”.

3. Regulation 9 of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the figure and word “1 inch” and inserting in their stead the figures and word “25 millimetres”.

4. Regulation 11 of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the symbol and figures “£100” and inserting in their stead the words “Two hundred dollars”,

5. Regulation 13 of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the words “Two pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Four dollars”.

6. Regulation 17 of the Spirits Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting the words “shall be of not less than 65 degrees overproof” and inserting in their stead the words “shall contain not less than ninety-four per cent, by volume of alcohol”; and

(b) by omitting the words “shall be of a strength of not less than 65 degrees overproof” and inserting in their stead the words “shall contain not less than ninety-four per cent, by volume of alcohol”.

7. Regulation 18 of the Spirits Regulations is repealed.

 

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 1972.

† Statutory Rules 1926, No. 202, as amended by Statutory Rules 1927, Nos. 28, 51 and 154; 1928, Nos. 14 and 106; 1929, No. 98; 1930, No. 35; 1932, No. 60; 1935, No. 68; 1936, No. 60; 1939, Nos. 8 and 171; 1940, No. 248; 1953, No. 16; 1954, No. 110; 1958, No. 56; 1959, No. 18; 1960, No. 61; 1966, No. 73; and 1970, No. 56 and 103.

5680/72—Price 8c 16.6.1972


8. Regulation 19 of the Spirits Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting the words “shall be of a strength not less than 65 degrees overproof” and inserting in their stead the words “shall contain not less than ninety-four per cent, by volume of alcohol”; and

(b) by omitting the words “lower strength” and inserting in their stead the words “lower percentage by volume of alcohol”.

9. Regulation 23 of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the words “One hundred pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Two hundred dollars”.

10. Regulation 25 of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the words “one hundred gallons” (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the figures and word “500 litres”.

11. Regulation 30 of (he Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the words “Nine shillings and sixpence” and inserting in their stead the words “Ninety-five cents”.

12. Regulation 30e of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the figures and word “100 gallons” and inserting in their stead the figures and word “500 litres”.

13. Regulation 30g of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the words “One hundred pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Two hundred dollars”.

14. Regulation 31 of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the words “shall be of a strength not less than 65 degrees over-proof” and inserting in their stead the words “shall contain not less than ninety-four per cent, by volume of alcohol”.

15. Regulation 42 of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the words “Nine shillings and sixpence” and inserting in their stead the words “Ninety-five cents”.

16. Regulation 52 of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the figure and word “4 gallons” and inserting in their stead the figures and word “18 litres”.

17. Regulation 55 of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the words “five hundred gallons” (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the figures and word “2,500 litres”.

18. Regulation 63 of the Spirits Regulations is amended by omitting the words “Ten pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Twenty dollars”.

19. The Schedule to the Spirits Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from Form 1 the words “Liquid Gals.” and inserting in their stead the words “of product in litres.”;

(b) by omitting from that form the word “Strength” and inserting in its stead the words “percentage by volume of alcohol.”;

(c) by omitting from that form the words “Proof Gals.” and inserting in their stead the words “of alcohol in litres.”;

(d) by omitting from Form 2 the symbol and figure “£2” and inserting in their stead the symbol and figure “$4”;


(e) by omitting from Form 3 the words “One hundred pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Two hundred dollars”;

(f) by omitting from Form 6 the words “Liq. Gal.” and inserting in their stead the words “Quantity of product in litres.”;

(g) by omitting from Form 6 the word “Strength.” and inserting in its stead the words “Percentage by volume of alcohol.”; and

(h) by omitting from Form 6 the words “Pf. Gal.” and inserting in their stead the words “Quantity of alcohol in litres.”.

Printed by Authority by the Government Printer of the Commonwealth of Australia

Overview

The Spirits Regulations 1972 were enacted under the Spirits Act 1906-1969 to amend the existing regulations concerning the manufacture, sale, and taxation of spirits. These regulations were established to ensure that the Spirits Act remained current and relevant, particularly in terms of measurement units and monetary values, which were updated from imperial to metric and pounds to dollars respectively. The policy objective of these amendments was to streamline the regulatory framework, making it more coherent and easier to enforce in a contemporary setting. The enacting body was the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, thereby ensuring that the changes were made with the authority and oversight of the federal government.

Scope and Application

The Spirits Regulations 1972, made under the Spirits Act 1906-1969, apply to all persons and entities involved in the production, importation, exportation, and sale of spirits within the Commonwealth of Australia. This includes distillers, importers, and retailers of alcoholic beverages. The Regulations govern the standards and practices for the production and sale of spirits, ensuring compliance with specified alcohol content and labelling requirements. The Regulations have a national reach, affecting all jurisdictions within Australia. They do not specify any exclusions or exemptions but are enforced through subordinate instruments which may further detail application and compliance measures. These amendments primarily involve updating the measurements and financial figures from imperial units to metric units, and adjusting the monetary values to reflect contemporary currency, while maintaining the same underlying standards for spirits production and sales.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of these Regulations, which are amendments to the Spirits Regulations under the Spirits Act 1906-1969, primarily involve amendments to measurement standards, monetary figures, and alcohol content percentages. Specifically, these amendments convert imperial measurements and British currency to metric measurements and Australian dollars (sections 2, 3, 4, 9, 12, 13, 19, 30g, 31, 42, 55, 63, and the Schedule). These changes include altering the measurements for container sizes and alcohol content, as well as updating the financial penalties and fees associated with the manufacture, storage, and distribution of spirits (sections 8, 11, 14, 17, 18, 19, 23, 25, 30e, 30g, 42, 52, 55, 63, and the Schedule). These Regulations impose several obligations on parties or entities involved in the spirits industry. They must comply with the updated measurement standards, ensuring that containers and products meet the specified metric and alcohol content requirements (sections 2, 3, 8, 11, 14, 17, 18, 19, 23, 25, 30e, 30g, 42, 52, 55, 63, and the Schedule). Additionally, financial penalties and fees have been updated, necessitating that entities adhere to the new monetary standards when paying applicable fees (sections 4, 9, 12, 13, 30g, 42, 55, 63, and the Schedule). Failure to comply with these Regulations can lead to various civil and criminal consequences. Breaches of the updated measurement standards and financial requirements can result in penalties, including fines and other sanctions (sections 4, 9, 12, 13, 30g, 42, 55, 63, and the Schedule). The maximum penalties for these offences are not explicitly stated in the Regulations, but they would typically be determined by the applicable laws and guidelines in place at the time of the breach. These penalties aim to ensure compliance with the updated standards and to maintain the integrity of the spirits industry. It is essential for parties and entities within the spirits industry to be aware of and adhere to these Regulations to avoid potential legal repercussions. Non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, including fines, which can significantly impact the operations and reputation of the involved entities. Therefore, understanding and implementing the updated measurement standards, alcohol content requirements, and financial obligations is crucial for all parties governed by these Regulations.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.