Statistics Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 221, which amend the Statistics Regulations 1913, were introduced to address the need for more comprehensive data collection in relation to infrastructure and construction activities across Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations serve to expand the scope of the Census and Statistics Act 1905. The primary policy objective is to enhance the quality and breadth of statistical data concerning national infrastructure developments, thereby supporting more informed policy-making and resource allocation. These amendments introduce new categories for data collection, specifically targeting the construction of significant infrastructure such as buildings, railways, roads, and bridges, ensuring that such vital economic activities are adequately documented and analysed.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 221, made under the authority of the Census and Statistics Act 1905, introduce amendments to the Statistics Regulations 1913. These regulations are designed to enhance the collection of statistical data by including additional categories such as the erection of buildings and the construction of infrastructure like railways, tramways, roads, bridges, and reservoirs. These amendments apply to all entities and individuals involved in such activities across the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby extending the scope of data collection to encompass more aspects of infrastructure development. The regulation ensures that comprehensive statistical data is gathered to inform government policies and planning, without any stated exclusions or exemptions in the provided text. The application of these regulations is national in scope, as they are enacted under the authority of the Commonwealth. The regulation's effectiveness and reach are further extended through subordinate instruments, which may provide detailed operational guidelines or further specify the types of data to be collected.

Key Provisions

The principal operative sections of the legislation, as outlined in Statutory Rules 1920, No. 221, pertain to the amendment of the Statistics Regulations 1913 under the Census and Statistics Act 1905. Regulation 18 of these regulations is specifically amended to include new categories of infrastructure and construction activities (Regulation 18(13) and Regulation 18(14)). These additions expand the scope of activities that are required to be reported under the Statistics Regulations, specifically detailing the erection of buildings and the construction of railways, tramways, roads, bridges, reservoirs, and other similar works. This means that any person or entity engaged in these activities must now provide the relevant statistical information as required by the amended regulations. The obligations imposed by this legislation are primarily administrative and reporting in nature. Entities or individuals involved in the construction or erection of buildings, railways, tramways, roads, bridges, reservoirs, and similar infrastructure must ensure that they comply with the new reporting requirements. This includes providing accurate and detailed statistical data as stipulated under the amended Regulation 18. The regulations necessitate the collection and submission of data related to the specified activities, which may include information on the type of construction, location, commencement and completion dates, and any other relevant metrics. Failure to comply with these reporting obligations can lead to various consequences as outlined in the legislation. In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the legislation does not explicitly detail the specific offences or penalties for breaches of the amended regulations. However, under the broader framework of the Census and Statistics Act 1905, non-compliance with reporting requirements can result in significant legal repercussions. Typically, breaches of the Act can lead to civil or criminal penalties, depending on the severity and intent behind the non-compliance. For civil penalties, fines may be imposed, and in more serious cases, criminal charges could be brought against individuals or entities responsible for the breach. The exact penalties are not specified in the statutory rules but are subject to the general provisions of the Act, which may include substantial fines and potential imprisonment for serious offences.