Stevedoring Industry (Ports) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1974 No. 162, enacted under the Stevedoring Industry Act 1956-1973, addresses the need for registered regular waterside workers at the Port of Western Port in the State of Victoria to be available for employment throughout the year. The regulation was introduced by the Governor-General, John R. Kerr, acting on the advice of the Executive Council and with the approval of Clyde R. Cameron, the Minister of State for Labour and Immigration. This legislative instrument aims to amend the Stevedoring Industry (Ports) Regulations to include Western Port in the State of Victoria, thereby formalising the requirement for waterside workers to be readily available for work on a daily basis at this particular port. The regulation was notified in the Australian Government Gazette on 17 September 1974 and builds upon previous amendments made to the Stevedoring Industry (Ports) Regulations in 1966, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument pertains to the regulation of the stevedoring industry, specifically addressing the requirement for registered regular waterside workers to be available for employment on a daily basis throughout the year at the port of Western Port in Victoria. This regulation operates under the broader authority of the Stevedoring Industry Act 1956-1973 and is designed to ensure the continuous availability of labour for stevedoring activities at this designated port. The regulation applies to all registered regular waterside workers who are required to be present and available for work on a daily basis, ensuring a steady workforce capable of meeting the demands of the port operations. The geographic reach of this regulation is confined to Western Port in the State of Victoria, thereby limiting its application to this specific location. The regulation extends the existing Stevedoring Industry (Ports) Regulations to include Western Port, thereby integrating it into the existing framework of stevedoring industry regulations.

Key Provisions

The Regulation under the Stevedoring Industry Act 1956-1973, as detailed in Statutory Rules 1974 No. 162, makes an important amendment to the existing Stevedoring Industry (Ports) Regulations. Specifically, section 2 of the Regulation amends the Second Schedule by adding "Western Port in the State of Victoria" to the list of ports covered under the Act (Section 2). This means that the provisions of the Stevedoring Industry Act now apply to registered regular waterside workers at the port of Western Port. The primary operative sections of this legislation require that registered regular waterside workers at Western Port be available for employment throughout the year. This requirement is designed to ensure a consistent workforce to handle stevedoring activities efficiently at the port (Section 2). The inclusion of Western Port under the existing regulatory framework aims to maintain the stability and operational effectiveness of port activities in the region. The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties involved, particularly on registered regular waterside workers, are to attend or make themselves available for employment as needed. This ensures that there is a reliable workforce to meet the demands of the port operations. Employers, in turn, must adhere to the regulatory requirements in scheduling and employing these workers (Section 2). The Act aims to create a balanced and compliant environment for both employers and employees at Western Port. In terms of consequences for breach, the legislation does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or specific civil or criminal consequences within the provided text. However, as the regulation is under the broader framework of the Stevedoring Industry Act 1956-1973, any breaches of the Act's provisions could potentially lead to penalties as prescribed in that Act. These could include fines or other sanctions for non-compliance with the availability requirements for waterside workers. The precise penalties would be in accordance with the main Act's stipulations and any subsequent amendments.