STATUTORY RULES.
1944. No. 179.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT ACT 1942.*
I, THE ADMINISTRATOR of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Women’s Employment Act 1942.
Dated this fifth day of December, 1944.
W. DUGAN
Administrator.
By His Excellency’s Command,
E. J. HOLLOWAY
Minister of State for Labour and National Service.
Amendments of the Women’s Employment Regulations.
Interpretation.
1. In these Regulations “Women’s Employment Regulations” means the provisions in the Schedule to the Women’s Employment Act 1942 relating to the employment of women, as subsequently amended.
Definitions.
2. Regulation 4 of the Women’s Employment Regulations is amended by inserting after the definition of “munitions of war” the following definition:—
“‘organization’ means any association or body, whether corporate or unincorporate, the objects of which include the protection of the interests of its members in industrial matters (and, in particular, their representation before Industrial Authorities) and which, in the case of an association or body of employees, is registered under any law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory of the Commonwealth;”.
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 7th December, 1944.
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By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.
7372.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Women’s Employment Act 1942 was enacted to address the growing need for women to enter the workforce during World War II, a time when many men were away in military service. This legislation was designed to facilitate the employment of women in roles that were previously restricted to men, thereby contributing to the war effort and supporting the economy. The Act was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, reflecting a national policy objective to mobilise the full potential of the workforce. In 1944, the Women’s Employment Regulations were amended to further clarify the types of organisations that could advocate for women’s employment interests, particularly in industrial matters. These regulations aimed to ensure that women’s rights and protections in the workplace were upheld and that their contributions to the war effort were recognised and supported.
Scope and Application
The Women's Employment Regulations, made under the Women’s Employment Act 1942, apply to the employment of women and are designed to protect and promote their interests in the workforce, particularly during times of national need. These regulations have a broad application, covering any association or body, whether corporate or unincorporated, that aims to protect the interests of its members in industrial matters, including their representation before Industrial Authorities. The scope of these regulations is further clarified to include any such association or body that is registered under any law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory of the Commonwealth. This legislative instrument extends its reach across the entire nation, ensuring uniformity in the protection and promotion of women's employment rights throughout the Commonwealth. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions mentioned within the text of this statutory rule, implying that the regulations apply broadly to the defined entities and conduct. The application of these regulations can be extended or modified through subordinate instruments, thereby allowing for flexibility in addressing changing employment conditions and needs.
Key Provisions
The Regulations under the Women’s Employment Act 1942 primarily focus on amending the existing provisions concerning the employment of women. One of the key sections in these regulations is Section 2, which amends Regulation 4 of the Women’s Employment Regulations by adding a new definition to it. Specifically, Section 2 introduces a new definition of “organization,” specifying that it means any association or body, whether corporate or unincorporated, whose objectives include the protection of the interests of its members in industrial matters and representation before Industrial Authorities. Additionally, this definition applies particularly to associations or bodies of employees registered under any law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory of the Commonwealth.
These regulations impose several obligations on parties or entities governed by them. Firstly, any association or body defined as an "organization" under the amended regulation must ensure it is registered under the appropriate laws, whether at the Commonwealth, State, or Territory level. This requirement ensures that such organizations can effectively represent their members' interests in industrial matters and before Industrial Authorities. Furthermore, these organizations must adhere to the stipulations outlined in the amended definition, which necessitates their primary objective to be the protection of members' interests in industrial matters and their registration status.
In terms of consequences for non-compliance with these regulations, the specific legislation does not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences within the provided text. However, given the context and the nature of such legislation, it is reasonable to infer that failure to comply with these requirements could result in legal ramifications. This might include potential legal actions against the organization for not adhering to the registration and representation stipulations. Although the exact penalties are not specified in the provided excerpt, they could potentially range from fines to more severe penalties, depending on the jurisdiction and the severity of the breach.