Stevedoring Industry Charge Act 1967

Overview

The Stevedoring Industry Charge Act 1967, enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, serves as an amendment to the Stevedoring Industry Charge Act 1947–1966. This Act was introduced to update the rate of the stevedoring industry charge, which had previously been set by the Principal Act. The policy objective of the amendment is to ensure the rate of charge is adjusted to reflect contemporary economic conditions and labour market demands. The amendment specifies that the new rate of the charge is to be forty-eight cents for every man-hour of employment and applies to the employment of waterside workers following the commencement of this Act. The Act aims to provide a more accurate and relevant charge for the stevedoring industry, facilitating more effective regulation and oversight of industry practices.

Scope and Application

The Stevedoring Industry Charge Act 1967 applies to the employment of waterside workers within the stevedoring industry following its commencement. This legislation amends the Stevedoring Industry Charge Act 1947–1966, referred to as the Principal Act, and adjusts the rate of the charge for every man-hour of employment to forty-eight cents. The Act is effective from the eighth day of March 1967, and it applies to any employment of waterside workers occurring after this date. The Act operates at the Commonwealth level and its provisions are applicable across the nation, with no specified exclusions or exemptions within the text provided. Any further specification or restriction of application is likely to be detailed in subordinate instruments or regulations associated with the Act.

Key Provisions

The Stevedoring Industry Charge Act 1967 (hereafter referred to as the "Act") amends the Stevedoring Industry Charge Act 1947-1966 (the "Principal Act") by altering the rate of the charge applicable to the employment of waterside workers. Section 5 of the Principal Act is repealed and replaced with a new provision (section 1(3)) that sets the rate of charge at forty-eight cents for every man-hour of employment (section 5). This amendment applies to employment of waterside workers following the commencement of the Act (section 4). The Act itself comes into operation on 8 March 1967 (section 2). The Act imposes specific obligations on employers within the stevedoring industry to ensure compliance with the amended rate of charge. Employers must now account for the revised charge of forty-eight cents per man-hour when calculating payments for waterside workers employed after the commencement of the Act. This obligation extends to accurately reporting and remitting the charge to the relevant authorities, ensuring that the updated rate is reflected in all relevant financial transactions and documentation. Employers must maintain records demonstrating compliance with these requirements, which may be subject to audit and inspection by regulatory bodies. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act can result in significant legal consequences. The Act does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties within its text, but breaches of related provisions in the Principal Act or other applicable legislation could lead to penalties. For instance, under the Principal Act, failure to pay the charge could be considered an offence, potentially resulting in fines or other civil or criminal sanctions as determined by the courts. The exact penalties would depend on the specific breach and the relevant provisions of other applicable laws. In summary, the Stevedoring Industry Charge Act 1967 revises the rate of charge for waterside workers' employment, requiring employers to adjust their payment calculations and documentation accordingly. Non-compliance with these obligations could lead to penalties under the Principal Act or other related legislation, highlighting the importance of adhering to the Act's requirements.