Trade Agreement (Greece) Act 1940

Legislation au C1940A00028 Not in force Act

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TRADE AGREEMENT (GREECE).

 

No. 28 of 1940.

An Act to approve an Agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the Kingdom of Greece.

[Assented to 1st June, 1940.]

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

Short title.

1. This Act may be cited as the Trade Agreement (Greece) Act 1940.


Commencement

2. This Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.

Approval of Agreement.

3. The Agreement entered into between His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the Kingdom of Greece (as set out in the Note from the Minister of State for Trade and Customs of the Commonwealth of Australia to His Hellenic Majesty’s Consul-General in Australia, and the Note from the said Consul-General to the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, copies of which Notes are set forth in the Schedule to this Act) is hereby approved.

 

THE SCHEDULE. Section 3.

 

EXCHANGE OF NOTES BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GREECE.

 

No. 1.

Minister of State for Trade and Customs of the Commonwealth of Australia to His Hellenic Majesty’s Consul-General in Australia.

 

Commonwealth of Australia.

Commonwealth Arms.

Minister for Trade and Customs,

Canberra, A.C.T.,

29th February, 1940.

Sir,

I have the honour to inform you that the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia is prepared to enter into an Agreement with the Government of the Kingdom of Greece in the following terms:—

1. Goods the produce or manufacture of Greece, on their importation into Australia, shall receive treatment not less favourable than that accorded to like goods the produce or manufacture of the most-favoured-foreign country.

2. Goods the produce or manufacture of Australia, on their importation into Greece, shall receive treatment not less favourable than that accorded to like goods the produce or manufacture of the most-favoured-foreign country.

3. It shall be understood that the term “foreign country” in relation to the Commonwealth of Australia means a country not under the sovereignty of His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, nor under His Majesty’s suzerainty, protection or mandate.

I shall be obliged if you will inform me whether the Government of the Kingdom of Greece agree to the above-mentioned proposals. If so, I suggest that the present Note and your Note in reply be regarded as constituting an Agreement between our two Governments having effect from a date to be fixed by mutual arrangement. I suggest further that the Agreement shall remain in force for a period of one year. If neither Government has notified the other three months before the expiration of the


The Schedule—continued.

above-mentioned period of one year of its intention to terminate the Agreement it shall continue in force until the expiration of three months from the date on which either of the two Governments shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Agreement.

I have the honour to be,

Sir

Your obedient servant,

(Sgd.) Robert G. Menzies,

Minister of State for Trade and Customs.

Emil C. Vrisakis Esq.,

Consul-General of Greece,

Royal Consulate General of Greece in Australia,

10 Martin-place,

Sydney, N.S.W.

 

No. 2.

His Hellenic Majesty’s Consul-General in Australia to the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia.

 

Royal Consulate General of Greece

in Australia.

Sydney, 7th March, 1940.

Challis House,

10 Martin Place.

No. 196. Phone BW 6926.

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Note of 29th February, 1940, and to inform you that the Government of the Kingdom of Greece is willing to enter into an agreement with the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia in the terms set forth therein, viz.:—

1. Goods the produce or manufacture of Greece, on their importation into Australia, shall receive treatment not less favourable than that accorded to like goods the produce or manufacture of the most-favoured-foreign country.

2. Goods the produce or manufacture of Australia, on their importation into Greece, shall receive treatment not less favourable than that accorded to like goods the produce or manufacture of the most-favoured-foreign country.

3. It shall be understood that the term “foreign country” in relation to the Commonwealth of Australia means a country not under the sovereignty of His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, nor under His Majesty’s suzerainty, protection or mandate.

In accordance with the suggestion contained in the last paragraph of your Note under reply, the present exchange of Notes will be regarded as constituting an agreement between the two Governments having effect from a date to be fixed by mutual arrangement. The Agreement shall remain in force for a period of one year. If neither Government has notified the other three months before the expiration of the above-mentioned period of one year of its intention to terminate the Agreement it shall continue in force until the expiration of three months from the date on which either of the two Governments shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Agreement.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient servant,

(Sgd.) E. C. Vrisakis,

Consul-General of Greece.

The Rt. Hon. R. G. Menzies, K.C. M.P.,

Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia,

Canberra, A.C.T.

Overview

The Trade Agreement (Greece) Act 1940 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to facilitate and formalise trade relations between Australia and Greece. This Act provided the legislative framework for approving an agreement between the two governments, ensuring that goods produced or manufactured in either country would receive treatment no less favourable than that accorded to goods from the most-favoured foreign nation. By doing so, the Act aimed to foster mutual economic benefits and strengthen diplomatic ties during a period of significant global change and uncertainty. The Act underscores the commitment of both nations to equitable and reciprocal trade practices, which was a vital policy objective in enhancing international trade relationships.

Scope and Application

The Trade Agreement (Greece) Act 1940 applies to the agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the Kingdom of Greece regarding trade terms for goods originating from or manufactured in either country. The Act specifically covers the exchange of notes detailing the terms of the agreement, which includes provisions that goods produced or manufactured in Greece will receive treatment no less favourable than that of goods from any other foreign country when imported into Australia, and vice versa for Australian goods imported into Greece. This legislation has a national reach within Australia, as it is enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, and it applies to entities and individuals involved in the trade of goods between Australia and Greece. The Act does not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but the scope is inherently limited to the terms of the trade agreement as outlined in the exchanged notes. The Act will remain in force for a period of one year unless either government notifies the other three months before the expiration of this period of its intention to terminate the agreement, in which case it will continue in force for an additional three months from the date of such notice.

Key Provisions

The Trade Agreement (Greece) Act 1940 (sections 1 to 3) primarily serves to approve an Agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the Kingdom of Greece, as outlined in the Schedule. This Act will be referred to as the Trade Agreement (Greece) Act 1940 and will come into operation on a date determined by a Proclamation (section 2). Section 3 specifically approves the Agreement detailed in the Schedule, which consists of two exchange of notes between the Minister of State for Trade and Customs of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Consul-General of Greece in Australia. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties involved are primarily concerned with the treatment of goods produced or manufactured in either Greece or Australia. Under the approved Agreement, goods originating from Greece must receive no less favourable treatment upon importation into Australia than goods from the most favoured foreign country. Similarly, Australian goods must receive no less favourable treatment upon importation into Greece than goods from the most favoured foreign country (Schedule, Notes 1 and 2). This reciprocal arrangement ensures that both nations extend the same trade privileges to each other as they do to any other country. In terms of civil or criminal consequences, the Act itself does not explicitly detail penalties or offences for breaches of the Agreement. However, any violations of the trade terms outlined in the Agreement could potentially lead to diplomatic disputes, retaliatory trade measures, or other forms of economic sanctions. While the Act does not provide for specific penalties, the consequences of breaching the trade terms could be significant and far-reaching, impacting bilateral trade relations between Australia and Greece.

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International Trade Law
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Act
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Definitions & Interpretation
Commencement Provisions
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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.