Wool (Contributory Charge) (No. 2) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1951, No. 108, under the Wool (Contributory Charge) Acts (No. 2) 1950, was enacted on 18th September 1951 to address the need for adjusting the contributory charge on wool sales. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Australian Parliament to provide a more accurate and equitable charge rate, reflecting the economic conditions and requirements of the wool industry at the time. The regulation amendment reduced the charge from one-quarter to one-eighth of one per centum, effective from 27th August 1951, as notified in the Gazette on the same date. This change was intended to ensure that the financial burden on wool producers was proportionate to the services provided by the relevant authorities.

Scope and Application

The Wool (Contributory Charge) (No. 2) Regulations 1951, as amended, apply to all entities involved in the production, sale, or processing of wool within the Commonwealth of Australia. This includes farmers, wool brokers, and wool growers associations, who are required to contribute to the charge levied on wool to support the Commonwealth Wool Research Organisation. The amendment made to Regulation 3 reduces the contributory charge rate from one-quarter of one per centum to one-eighth of one per centum, effective from the date of commencement on 27 August 1951. The regulations provide the framework for the collection and administration of this charge, ensuring compliance by the relevant industry participants. The scope of these regulations is confined to the wool industry and does not extend to other agricultural commodities or sectors. Additionally, the regulations may be further refined or extended through subordinate instruments to address specific operational or administrative needs within the wool industry.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1951, No. 108, which amend Regulation 3 of the Wool (Contributory Charge) (No. 2) Regulations, primarily adjust the percentage rate of the contributory charge applicable to wool under section 6.1. As per section 1 of the amendment, the charge is reduced from one-quarter of one per centum to one-eighth of one per centum. This alteration means that the new rate is half of the previous rate, thus affecting the financial burden on contributors. The Regulations are deemed to have come into operation on 27 August 1951, as per the commencement clause in section 2. The obligations imposed by these Regulations primarily pertain to the collection and remittance of the contributory charge by wool growers and sellers. Under the amended Regulation 3, they are required to account for the new charge rate of one-eighth of one per centum, which will be applied to the sales of wool. This amendment necessitates adjustments in the accounting and reporting processes to reflect the new charge rate accurately. Furthermore, the Australian government or relevant authorities must ensure that the new rate is correctly implemented across all transactions involving wool sales. In terms of breaches and consequences, the Regulations do not explicitly detail specific offences or penalties for non-compliance with the new charge rate. However, under the broader framework of the Wool (Contributory Charge) Acts (No. 2) 1950, failure to comply with the contributory charge provisions could lead to legal actions. These could include fines or other civil penalties as stipulated in the principal Acts. The exact penalties would depend on the specific provisions of the main legislation, which may include fines, enforcement actions, or other legal consequences for non-compliance. Overall, these Regulations streamline the contributory charge on wool sales by reducing the charge rate from one-quarter to one-eighth of one per centum. This amendment affects wool growers and sellers by altering their financial obligations. While the Regulations themselves do not specify penalties for non-compliance, the broader legislative framework provides mechanisms for enforcement and potential penalties for breaches.