Commonwealth act

Treaty of Peace Act 1919

RepealedCTH

This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.

Jurisdiction

Commonwealth

Act Number

20 of 1919

Collection

act

Plain English Summary

1/10 complexity

This Act gives the Australian government power to implement the Treaty of Versailles — the peace treaty signed after World War I that ended hostilities with Germany.

It specifically authorises the Governor-General (acting on behalf of the Crown) to create regulations (subordinate laws) to enforce Part X of the treaty. This section deals with economic clauses covering matters like trade restrictions, property rights, and financial reparations.

Who it affects: Businesses, financial institutions, or individuals involved in economic activities with Germany that fall under the treaty's restrictions.

Penalties for breach:

Minor offences (handled by a magistrate without a jury): Fine up to £500 or imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both
Serious offences (tried before a judge and jury): Unlimited fine or imprisonment for up to 7 years, or both

In short, this is Australia's legal machinery to enforce the economic penalties imposed on Germany following WWI.

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Current sections

Direct links to the current provisions in Treaty of Peace Act 1919.

Treaty of Peace Act 1919

TREATY OF PEACE.

No. 20 of 1919.

An Act to carry into effect the Treaty of Peace with Germany.

[Assented to 28th October, 1919.]

Preamble.

WHEREAS at Versailles, on the twenty-eighth day of June, nineteen hundred and nineteen, a Treaty of Peace with Germany (including a protocol annexed thereto) a copy of which has been laid before each House of the Parliament, was signed by representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia on behalf of His Majesty the King, and it is expedient that the Government of the Commonwealth should have power to do all such things as are necessary and expedient for giving effect to the said Treaty on the part of the Commonwealth:

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.

This Act may be cited as the Treaty of Peace Act 1919.

Regulations.

The Governor-General may make such regulations and do such things as appear to him to be necessary for carrying out and giving effect to the provisions of Part X. (Economic Clauses) of the said Treaty.

Contraventions of regulations.

The regulations may provide for the punishment of offences against the regulations, by the impositions of the following penalties:—

(a) If the offence is prosecuted summarily—a fine not exceeding Five hundred pounds or imprisonment for any term not exceeding twelve months; or both;

(b) If the offence is prosecuted upon indictment—a fine of any amount or imprisonment for not more than seven years, or both.

Source text

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.

1 Treaty of Peace Act 1919