Trade Commissioners Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1959, No. 92, made under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933-1936, was enacted to amend the Trade Commissioners Regulations by modifying the locations of Trade Commissioners. This legislative instrument was issued by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and came into effect on 13th November 1959. The regulation addresses a specific administrative need to update the list of locations where Trade Commissioners are appointed, reflecting changes in diplomatic and trade relations by adding Ottawa to the list of cities where Trade Commissioners are stationed, alongside Montreal and Stockholm. The policy objective appears to be ensuring that trade representation aligns with contemporary diplomatic postings and trade interests, thereby facilitating more effective commercial engagement in these regions.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument amends the Trade Commissioners Regulations, which are subordinate instruments of the Trade Commissioners Act 1933-1936. The Act itself pertains to the establishment and administration of trade commissioners, who are responsible for promoting trade and economic development between Australia and other countries. The amendment specifically modifies the Second Schedule of the Regulations by replacing the listed cities of Montreal and Stockholm with Montreal, Ottawa, and Stockholm. This alteration likely reflects a shift in focus or the expansion of trade commissioner duties to include Ottawa, which may be significant due to Canada's economic relationship with Australia. The regulation applies to individuals and entities involved in international trade, particularly those operating in the listed cities, and it is issued under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby extending its jurisdictional reach across the national territory. No exclusions or exemptions are explicitly stated within the text of this particular legislative instrument, but it should be noted that the overarching Act and its Regulations may contain other provisions that address such matters.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules of 1959, No. 92, issued under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933-1936, introduce specific amendments to the Trade Commissioners Regulations (paragraph 1). The primary focus of these amendments is the adjustment of locations listed under the regulations (paragraph 2). The original locations mentioned in the regulations, Montreal and Stockholm, are replaced with Montreal, Ottawa, and Stockholm (paragraph 2). This amendment signifies a broadening of the geographical scope of the regulations to include Ottawa as an additional location. The obligations and requirements imposed by this regulation are primarily concerned with updating the geographical areas where trade commissioners are authorised to operate. Under the Trade Commissioners Act, trade commissioners are responsible for promoting and facilitating trade between Australia and other countries. By amending the Trade Commissioners Regulations to include Ottawa, the Act extends the operational scope of these commissioners to include this additional location. This amendment ensures that the trade commissioners are duly authorised to carry out their functions in Ottawa, aligning their activities with the broader objectives of the Act. The Statutory Rules of 1959, No. 92, do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches of the amended Trade Commissioners Regulations. However, under the overarching Trade Commissioners Act 1933-1936, there are provisions that could apply to non-compliance with the regulations. Generally, failure to adhere to the requirements set forth in the Trade Commissioners Regulations could potentially lead to legal consequences, including fines or other penalties as prescribed by the Act. The exact nature and severity of these consequences would depend on the specific circumstances of the breach and the provisions of the Trade Commissioners Act.