Statistics Regulations 1927 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1936, No. 109, enacted under the authority of the Census and Statistics Act 1905-1930, introduced amendments to the Statistics Regulations. This legislative instrument was crafted to address gaps in the collection and reporting of specific data, particularly concerning shipping, gold, and silver. The Regulations were issued by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The policy objective of these amendments was to enhance the accuracy and scope of statistical data gathered under the Census and Statistics Act, thereby improving the quality of information available for governmental and public use.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1936 No. 109, made under the Census and Statistics Act 1905-1930, primarily apply to the Commonwealth Statistician and any person or entity required to supply statistical information as mandated by the Act. This includes industries and individuals involved in shipping, gold and silver industries, and any other entities that fall under the purview of the Act. The geographic scope of these Regulations extends to the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically targeting activities in Darwin, Northern Territory. The Regulations detail the information to be supplied in relation to shipping and gold and silver, indicating an amendment to existing forms to include additional data collection points. These Regulations serve to refine and expand the data collection process mandated by the Act, ensuring that the Commonwealth Statistician receives comprehensive and updated information relevant to national statistics. The exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, but the focus remains on the administrative and procedural aspects of data collection. The Act may also extend its application through subordinate instruments, which would be specified in further regulations or amendments.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Census and Statistics Act 1905-1930, as outlined in Statutory Rules 1936, No. 109, make several amendments to existing regulations concerning the information required from shipping and precious metals industries. Regulation 20 is amended to require the submission of Forms XLIII, XLIV, and XLV for shipping information, as opposed to just Form XLIII (paragraph 1). Similarly, Regulation 21 is amended to require the submission of Form XLVI instead of Form XLIV for information related to gold and silver (paragraph 2). Additionally, new forms, XLIII and XLIV, are inserted into the Schedule to capture detailed passenger information for both outgoing and incoming flights from Darwin, Northern Territory (paragraph 3). The forms require information such as passenger names, professions, sex, age, marital status, country of last permanent residence, nationality, race, and intended future permanent residence (paragraphs 3-4). These Regulations impose specific obligations on the parties they govern, primarily shipping companies and entities involved in the gold and silver industries. Shipping companies must now supply detailed passenger information for both outgoing and incoming flights from Darwin, Northern Territory, including names, professions, sex, age, marital status, and country of last and intended future permanent residence (paragraph 3). For the gold and silver industries, the obligation is to provide information using Form XLVI instead of Form XLIV (paragraph 2). The Regulations do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance. However, as these Regulations are made under the Census and Statistics Act 1905-1930, non-compliance with the Act's requirements may lead to legal action, fines, or other penalties as stipulated in the principal Act. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with the Census and Statistics Act 1905-1930 can include fines of up to $12,600 for individuals and $63,000 for bodies corporate, as well as potential imprisonment for more serious offences. The exact penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach.