Wool (Contributory Charge) Regulations

Overview

The Wool (Contributory Charge) Regulations 1947 were introduced to establish the specific rate for the contributory charge on the sale value of wool, as mandated by the Wool (Contributory Charge) Act 1945. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure that the necessary funds are collected to cover the operating expenses of the Joint Organization, the interest on Commonwealth purchases of wool, and payments into the Wool Use Promotion Fund. These regulations were made by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, following consideration of advice from the Australian Wool Realization Commission. The policy objective is to effectively manage and allocate the contributory charges to support the various initiatives outlined in the relevant Acts.

Scope and Application

The Wool (Contributory Charge) Regulations 1947, made under the Wool (Contributory Charge) Act 1945, specify the contributory charge rate applicable to the sale value of wool. This charge is applicable to all entities involved in the sale of wool within the Commonwealth of Australia, including wool producers, processors, and exporters. The specified charge of three-quarters of one per centum is intended to fund the operating expenses of the Joint Organization as outlined in the Wool Realization Act 1945, payments for interest on Commonwealth wool purchases, and contributions to the Wool Use Promotion Fund as mandated by the Wool Use Promotion Act 1945. These regulations replace the previous set of Wool (Contributory Charge) Regulations (Statutory Rules 1946, No. 133) and came into effect on 1 August 1947. The regulations do not explicitly detail any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but they do provide a framework for the application of the contributory charge across the wool industry in Australia.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Wool (Contributory Charge) Regulations 1947 (C1947L00101) pertain to the establishment of a contributory charge on wool sales. Section 4 of the Regulations prescribes that this charge is set at three-quarters of one per cent of the sale value of wool, effective from 1 August 1947. This rate is determined in line with the requirements of section 4 of the Wool (Contributory Charge) Act 1945, which mandates that the charge should cover specific financial needs of the industry, including meeting the industry’s share in operating expenses of the Joint Organization, paying interest on Commonwealth wool purchases, and funding the Wool Use Promotion Fund. The obligations imposed by these Regulations are primarily directed towards wool producers and sellers. They must ensure that the contributory charge is calculated and remitted as specified, which involves taking three-quarters of one per cent of the sale value of all wool sold. This charge is then to be paid into the relevant funds as outlined in the Wool (Contributory Charge) Act 1945 and the Wool Use Promotion Act 1945. This requirement ensures that the financial needs identified in the Disposals Plan and the Wool Use Promotion Act are met, facilitating the ongoing operations and initiatives of the industry. The Regulations do not explicitly state offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance. However, given the nature of the charge and its importance for funding critical industry functions, failure to remit the contributory charge could lead to financial shortfalls that might affect the operations of the Joint Organization, interest payments, and promotional activities. While the Regulations themselves do not outline specific penalties, non-compliance might result in enforcement actions under the primary Acts, which could include fines or other legal repercussions as stipulated in those Acts. The precise penalties would be governed by the relevant provisions in the Wool (Contributory Charge) Act 1945 and the Wool Use Promotion Act 1945.