Supply and Development (Long Range Weapons) Regulations

Legislation au C1948L00090 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1948. No. 90.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE SUPPLY AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 1939-1948.*

I, THE DEPUTY OF 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 Supply and Development Act 1939-1948.

Dated this fifteenth day of July, 1948.

WINSTON DUGAN

Deputy of the Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

H. V. EVATT

for Minister of State for Supply and Development.

 

Supply and Development (Long Range Weapons) Regulations.

Citation.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Supply and Development (Long Range Weapons) Regulations.

Repeal.

2.—(1.) Regulations 34, 35 and 36 of the National Security (Munitions) Regulations are repealed.

(2.) Every authorization or permission given, and every notice published, in pursuance of any provision of the regulation repealed by this regulation, and which has not expired or been revoked before the commencement of these Regulations, shall be in force and have effect immediately after the commencement of these Regulations as if it were an authorization, permission or notice duly given or published under the corresponding provision of these Regulations.

Regulations to bind Crown.

3. These Regulations shall bind the Crown in right of the Commonwealth or of a State.

Entry upon and use of land.

4.—(1.) The Minister may authorize entry upon, and the use on behalf of the Commonwealth of, any area of land or water for the purposes of setting up, maintenance and conduct of undertakings for testing, or for carrying out operations for the testing, of long-range weapons.

(2.) A person who suffers any loss, injury or damage by reason of anything done in pursuance of sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation in relation to any land or water in which he has any legal or equitable interest shall be entitled to be paid such compensation as is determined by agreement with the Minister or, in the absence of agreement, as is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 16th July, 1948.

3747.––Price 3d.


Prohibited areas.

5.—(1.) If it appears to the Minister that, with respect to any place used or intended to be used as or for the purposes of an undertaking for the provision or testing, or for carrying out operations for the testing, of long-range weapons, it is necessary or expedient in the interests of the safety or defence of the Commonwealth that special precautions should be taken to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons into that place, he may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare that place to be a prohibited area for the purposes of these Regulations and that place shall, until the notice is revoked, be a prohibited area for the purposes of these Regulations.

(2.) A person shall not enter, be or remain in a prohibited area except with the permission of an authority or person authorized by the Minister to give such permissions.

Penalty: Fifty pounds or imprisonment for three months, or both.

(3.) A permission under the last preceding sub-regulaton may be given subject to such conditions (including conditions as to the conduct in the prohibited area of the person to whom the permission is given) as the authority or person giving the permission considers necessary for the protection of persons and property in the area and of official secrets, and a person shall comply with and observe every such condition which is applicable to him.

Penalty: Fifty pounds or imprisonment for three months, or both.

(4.) A person who enters, is or remains in a prohibited area in contravention of this regulation, or who fails to comply with or observe any condition applicable to him under the last preceding sub-regulation may, without prejudice to any proceedings which may be taken against him, be removed from the prohibited area by or under the direction of a constable or Commonwealth officer or a person thereto authorized by the Minister.

(5.) Where, by reason of this regulation or of anything done in pursuance of this regulation, a person ordinarily resident in a prohibited area at the time when the area becomes a prohibited area suffers any loss, injury or damage in circumstances which, in the opinion of the Minister, entitles him to be compensated by the Commonwealth, he shall be paid by the Commonwealth such compensation as the Minister determines.

Protection of persons and property.

6.—(1.) If in relation to any undertaking the Minister is satisfied that safety measures should be taken against risks arising from any operations of the undertaking or that measures should be taken for the protection of property of the Commonwealth, he may authorize the taking of such action as appears to him to be necessary or expedient for the protection of persons or property within the premises assigned to the undertaking.

(2.) The power of the Minister under this regulation shall include power to authorize the search of persons entering or seeking to enter, or being within the premises assigned to an undertaking:

Provided that no woman shall be searched in pursuance of any such authorization except by a woman.

 

By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Supply and Development (Long Range Weapons) Regulations 1948 were introduced to provide a legal framework for the testing and operations of long-range weapons, addressing the need for controlled environments and safety measures in the testing of such weapons. Enacted by the Deputy of the Governor-General with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these Regulations were made under the Supply and Development Act 1939-1948. Their primary policy objective was to ensure the safety and defence of the Commonwealth while managing the use of land and water for these specific operations. The Regulations allow for the declaration of prohibited areas, the entry and use of land for testing, and the protection of persons and property involved in these activities. Compensation provisions were included for any losses or damages incurred due to the operations.

Scope and Application

The Supply and Development (Long Range Weapons) Regulations, made under the Supply and Development Act 1939-1948, apply to any person or entity involved in undertakings related to the testing or operations of long-range weapons within the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulations govern the entry upon and use of land or water for these purposes, the declaration of prohibited areas where necessary for safety or defence, and the protection of persons and property. The Minister for Supply and Development has the authority to grant permissions for entry into prohibited areas, subject to conditions, and to take safety measures or authorize searches as deemed necessary. These regulations bind the Crown in right of the Commonwealth or of a State, ensuring that governmental entities are also subject to the provisions outlined. Any person suffering loss, injury, or damage due to actions under these regulations is entitled to compensation. The regulations also include penalties for entering or remaining in prohibited areas without permission, and for failing to comply with conditions imposed by the Minister. The scope of these regulations is reinforced through subordinate instruments, which may further specify the application and enforcement of the regulations.

Key Provisions

The Supply and Development (Long Range Weapons) Regulations, made under the Supply and Development Act 1939-1948, establish specific provisions for the entry, use, and regulation of land and water for the testing of long-range weapons (Regulation 4). These regulations allow the Minister to authorise the use of any land or water for these purposes, and provide for compensation for any losses incurred by individuals as a result of such use (Regulation 4(2)). The regulations also permit the Minister to declare certain areas as "prohibited areas" if they are deemed necessary for safety or defence reasons (Regulation 5). Entry into these prohibited areas is restricted and requires specific permission from an authorised authority or person (Regulation 5(2)). Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines of up to fifty pounds, imprisonment for up to three months, or both (Regulation 5(3) and 5(4)). The regulations impose a number of obligations on parties and entities they govern. For example, they require that any person who enters or remains in a prohibited area must have the necessary permission from an authorised authority or person (Regulation 5(2)). Furthermore, individuals who enter or remain in a prohibited area without permission, or fail to comply with any conditions attached to their permission, can be removed from the area by a constable, Commonwealth officer, or a person authorised by the Minister (Regulation 5(4)). The Minister is also required to determine compensation for any loss, injury, or damage suffered by a person ordinarily resident in a prohibited area at the time it becomes a prohibited area (Regulation 5(5)). In terms of consequences for breach, the regulations provide for both civil and criminal penalties. For instance, individuals who enter or remain in a prohibited area without permission can be fined up to fifty pounds, imprisoned for up to three months, or both (Regulation 5(3) and 5(4)). These penalties are intended to ensure compliance with the regulations and to protect the safety and security of the Commonwealth. Additionally, the regulations provide for compensation for any loss, injury, or damage suffered by individuals as a result of the use of land or water for testing long-range weapons (Regulation 4(2) and 5(5)). These provisions serve to balance the interests of the Commonwealth with those of individuals who may be affected by the testing of long-range weapons.

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