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Commonwealth act
This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.
What does this law do?
This Act sets up a government cash payment (called a "bounty") to Australian exporters of fortified wine — think port-style wines that have had extra alcohol added to boost their strength. It replaced an earlier version of the same scheme from 1934.
Who does it affect?
How does the bounty work?
Where does the money come from?
A special government trust account called the is created and funded by:
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Direct links to the current provisions in Wine Export Bounty Act 1939.
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View on official registerSourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
If that account runs short, the government's general fund (the Consolidated Revenue Fund) can top it up — but only up to £50,000 per financial year. If there's a surplus left over after all claims are paid, it goes back to the general fund.
Key conditions exporters must meet:
What can go wrong for a claimant?
The Minister has broad power to withhold all or part of the bounty if:
Making a false statement to get bounty is a criminal offence, punishable by a £100 fine or up to 12 months in prison.
Transparency:
Each year, the government must prepare a return (a public report) listing every person paid bounty, the amounts paid, and the balance of the Wine Export Encouragement Account. This report must be tabled before both Houses of Parliament.
Why does it matter?
This Act is a snapshot of Depression and wartime-era agricultural policy. The government was trying to support the struggling Australian wine export industry, protect grape growers from being underpaid, and ensure Australian wine maintained a good reputation in overseas markets — all while carefully controlling the public money used to do it.