Tariff Board Act 1972

Legislation au C1972A00050 Not in force Act

Legislation content

Tariff Board

No. 50 of 1972

An Act relating to the Membership of the Tariff Board.

[Assented to 7 June 1972]

BE it enacted by the Queens Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1.(1.) This Act may be cited as the Tariff Board Act 1972.

(2.) The Tariff Board Act 19211971 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Tariff Board Act 19211972.


Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

Tariff Board.

3. Section 5 of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting the word nine and inserting in its stead the words not less than seven nor more than eleven; and

(b) by adding at the end thereof the following sub-section:—

(2.) The exercise of the powers and the performance of the duties and functions of the Board are not affected by reason only of the number of members falling below seven for a period of not more than three months..

Members of Board.

4. Section 6 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from sub-section (2.) the words two of those members, or, if the Governor-General thinks fit, three of those members, and inserting in their stead the words not less than two nor more than five of those members,.

Delegation by Chairman.

5.—(1.) Section 9 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting sub-sections (1.) and (2.) and inserting in their stead the following sub-sections:—

(1.) The Chairman may, by writing under his hand, delegate any of his powers, duties and functions under this Act (except this power of delegation) to—

(a) a Deputy Chairman; or

(b) a member who—

(i) is empowered to preside at a meeting or meetings of a Division of the Board by virtue of sub-section (6.) of section twelve a of this Act; or

(ii) constitutes a Division of the Board in accordance with section twelve b of this Act.

(2.) A power, duty or function so delegated may be exercised or performed by the delegate in accordance with the instrument of delegation but, where it is so delegated to a member (not being a Deputy Chairman) under paragraph (b) of the last preceding sub-section, it shall not be exercised or performed except for the purposes of an inquiry and report to be made by the Division of the Board at whose meeting or meetings he is empowered to preside or which is constituted by him..

(2.) A delegation that was in force under section 9 of the Principal Act immediately before the commencement of this Act continues in force as if it had been made under that section as amended by this Act.

6. Sections 9a and 9b of the Principal Act are repealed and the following section is inserted in their stead:—

Salary, allowances and outside employment.

9a.—(1) he Chairman shall be paid salary at the rate of Twenty-two thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars a year and an annual allowance at the rate of One thousand five hundred dollars a year.


(2.) A Deputy Chairman shall be paid salary at the rate of Fifteen thousand six hundred and twenty-one dollars a year.

(3.) A member (not being the Chairman, a Deputy Chairman or an acting member) and an acting member who, under the terms of his appointment, is required to give the whole of his time to the duties of his office, shall be paid salary at the rate of Fifteen thousand three hundred and seventy dollars a year.

(4.) An acting member to whom the last preceding sub-section does not apply shall be paid such remuneration as is prescribed.

(5.) The rate of salary of a member shall not be diminished during a term of office.

(6.) A member holding office as the Acting Chairman shall be paid, by way of additional remuneration—

(a) an allowance at the rate of an amount per annum equal to the difference between the amount per annum of the salary payable to him and the amount per annum of the salary payable to the Chairman; and

(b) an allowance at the same rate as the rate of the annual allowance payable to the Chairman,

and the allowance referred to in paragraph (a) of this sub-section shall be taken to be part of his salary for the purposes of the last preceding sub-section.

(7.) A member (not being the Chairman, an Acting Chairman or a Deputy Chairman) presiding at meetings of the Board or, in accordance with section twelve b of this Act, constituting a Division of the Board, shall be paid such allowance (if any), by way of additional remuneration, as is prescribed and is applicable to him, but such an allowance shall not be taken to be part of his salary for the purposes of sub-section (5.) of this section.

(8.) A member shall be paid such allowances, not including an annual allowance, as are prescribed and are applicable to him.

(9.) A member other than an acting member shall not engage in paid employment outside the duties of his office otherwise than as an authority..

Vacancy not to invalidate proceedings.

7. Section 13 of the Principal Act is repealed.

8. Section 14b of the Principal Act is repealed and the following section inserted in its stead:—

Remuneration and allowances.

14b.—(1.) An authority shall be paid such remuneration (if any) as is prescribed and is applicable to him, but the rate of the remuneration of an authority shall not be diminished during a term of office.

(2.) An authority shall be paid such allowances (if any), but not including an annual allowance, as are prescribed and are applicable to him..

Overview

The Tariff Board Act 1972 was enacted to amend the existing Tariff Board Act 1921–1971, addressing certain structural and procedural issues within the Tariff Board. This Act was introduced by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia. The primary objective of the Act was to adjust the membership criteria and remuneration of the Tariff Board to ensure its effective functioning and to provide clarity on the delegation of powers and duties within the Board. This legislative update aimed to streamline the operations of the Tariff Board, ensuring it could meet its policy objectives more efficiently.

Scope and Application

The Tariff Board Act 1972 applies to the membership, operations, and administration of the Tariff Board, an entity established to advise on tariff matters within Australia. This legislation amends the existing Tariff Board Act 1921–1971, altering the composition and delegation powers of the Board, as well as remuneration for its members. The Act applies to all members of the Tariff Board, including the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and other members, as well as any acting members appointed under the Act. The geographic reach of this Act is limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting federal tariff policies and decisions. The Act does not specify any exclusions or exemptions but rather focuses on the structural and operational adjustments within the Tariff Board. The application of this Act is further defined and potentially extended through subordinate instruments that may prescribe remuneration and allowances for Board members and authorities, although these details are not provided within the primary text of the Act.

Key Provisions

The Tariff Board Act 1972 (sections 3 and 4) modifies the composition of the Tariff Board by specifying that it should have between seven and eleven members, with provisions allowing the Board to operate with fewer than seven members for up to three months. It also adjusts the number of members who can be appointed to the Tariff Board to a range of two to five. Delegation of powers by the Chairman is clarified under section 5, allowing the Chairman to delegate certain powers to a Deputy Chairman or to a member who is either empowered to preside over a division or constitutes a division of the Board. The Act also introduces provisions regarding remuneration and allowances for the members and authorities of the Tariff Board, including fixed salaries and allowances, outlined in section 9a. The Tariff Board Act 1972 imposes several obligations on the parties and entities it governs. It mandates the composition of the Tariff Board within specific numbers, ensuring that it comprises between seven and eleven members. It also outlines the conditions under which the Chairman can delegate powers, specifying the types of delegates and the conditions under which delegated powers may be exercised. Additionally, the Act sets out the remuneration and allowances for the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and other members, including additional allowances for members acting in specific capacities, as detailed in section 9a. The Act does not explicitly outline offences or penalties for breaches of its provisions. However, it does specify that the rate of remuneration for members and authorities shall not be diminished during their term of office. Although the Act does not detail criminal or civil penalties for breaches, any non-compliance with the remuneration provisions could potentially lead to legal consequences, depending on how such non-compliance is interpreted under broader employment or administrative law principles.

Legal classification tags

Instrument
Act
Concepts
Commencement Provisions
Definitions & Interpretation
Delegation by Chairman
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
Catchwords
Membership of the Tariff Board

Interactions

Authorises

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.