TREATY OF PEACE (FINLAND).
No. 82 of 1947.
An Act to approve the Treaty of Peace with Finland, and for other purposes.
[Assented to 11th December, 1947.]
[Date of commencement, 8th January, 1948.]
Preamble.
WHEREAS at Paris, on the tenth day of February, One thousand nine hundred and forty-seven, a Treaty of Peace with Finland (a copy of which Treaty has been laid before each House of the Parliament) was signed on behalf of Australia:
And Whereas it is expedient that the Treaty should be approved by the Parliament and that the Australian Government should have power to do all such things as are necessary or expedient for carrying out and giving effect to the Treaty on the part of Australia:
Be it therefore 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 Treaty of Peace (Finland) Act 1947.
Application to Territories.
2. This Act shall extend to every Territory of the Commonwealth, including the Territory of New Guinea.
Approval of Treaty.
3. The Treaty of Peace with Finland is approved.
Regulations, &c.
4. The Governor-General may make such regulations and do such things as appear to him to be necessary or expedient for carrying out and giving effect to the provisions of the Treaty of Peace with Finland, and in particular for prescribing punishments (by fine or imprisonment) for offences against the regulations.
Overview
The Treaty of Peace (Finland) Act 1947 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to approve the Treaty of Peace with Finland, which was signed on behalf of Australia on 10 February 1947 in Paris. The Act was assented to on 11 December 1947 and commenced on 8 January 1948. The primary objective of this legislation was to formalise the approval of the Treaty of Peace with Finland, ensuring that the Australian government had the authority to implement and enforce the terms of the treaty within its territories. The Act extends its application to all territories of the Commonwealth, including the Territory of New Guinea, and empowers the Governor-General to make regulations necessary for the effective implementation of the treaty, including prescribing penalties for violations.
Scope and Application
The Treaty of Peace (Finland) Act 1947 applies to all territories of the Commonwealth of Australia, including the Territory of New Guinea, as stated in section 2. The Act serves to approve the Treaty of Peace with Finland, which was signed on behalf of Australia on 10 February 1947. Section 3 explicitly states the approval of the treaty, while section 4 empowers the Governor-General to make regulations and take necessary actions to enforce the treaty's provisions, including prescribing penalties for any breaches of these regulations. The Act thus provides a legislative framework for implementing the terms of the Treaty of Peace with Finland across Australian territories, ensuring compliance and enforcement through regulatory measures.
Key Provisions
The Treaty of Peace (Finland) Act 1947 (sections 1–4) serves primarily to approve the Treaty of Peace with Finland and to lay the groundwork for its implementation within Australia. Section 1 provides the Act with its short title, while section 2 specifies the geographical extent of the Act's application, covering all territories of the Commonwealth, including the Territory of New Guinea. Section 3 formally approves the Treaty of Peace with Finland, and section 4 empowers the Governor-General to enact regulations and take necessary actions to ensure the Treaty's provisions are executed. This includes the authority to prescribe penalties, such as fines or imprisonment, for breaches of these regulations.
The Act imposes several obligations on the Australian Government and other relevant entities. It mandates the Government to ensure that all actions taken are in accordance with the Treaty's provisions (section 3). The Governor-General, in particular, is tasked with making regulations and taking actions deemed necessary to enforce the Treaty effectively (section 4). These obligations extend to ensuring that any breaches of the regulations are met with appropriate penalties, thereby maintaining the integrity of the Treaty.
Failure to comply with the regulations made under this Act may result in various consequences. The Act does not explicitly detail the nature of these consequences but does state that the Governor-General has the authority to prescribe punishments, including fines or imprisonment, for offences against the regulations (section 4). The maximum penalties, however, are not specified within the provided text, and would likely be outlined in the regulations made under the Act. It is also important to note that any breach of these regulations could have broader implications, potentially affecting Australia's international relations and standing in compliance with international treaties.