Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Fuel Emergency Act 1977 - SECT 4

Powers of Minister during period of emergency

4. Powers of Minister during period of emergency



(1) During a period of emergency the Minister may in relation to the
production supply distribution sale use or consumption of the fuel to which
the period of emergency relates provide operate control regulate and direct
any service (whether by way of continuation or modification of, or
substitution for, any service theretofore provided).

(2) The Minister may employ at not less than award rates such persons in such
numbers and upon such terms as appear to him to be necessary for the carrying
into effect of the powers referred to in the last preceding subsection.

(3) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this
section the Minister may by notice in writing in relation to a fuel in respect
of which a period of emergency is in force-

   (a)  give such directions as are necessary to control direct restrict or
        prohibit the production supply distribution sale use or consumption of
        the fuel;

   (b)  direct a person who extracts produces transports or distributes the
        fuel to extract it for or produce it transport or distribute it to a
        person specified in the direction;

   (c)  direct a person to comply with such terms and conditions as the
        Minister determines relating to the extracting production supply
        distribution sale use or consumption of the fuel;

   (d)  direct that a person to whom that fuel is provided or transported
        accept the fuel so provided or transported;

   (e)  direct what services shall be maintained and upon what terms and
        conditions they shall operate;

   (f)  direct persons and bodies to operate and maintain services to the
        extent and upon the terms specified in the direction;

   (g)  direct at what times and places and upon what terms and conditions and
        in what manner services may be used or availed of;

   (h)  prohibit the operation or use of services except, if so specified in
        the prohibition, with the consent of the Minister;

        (i)    requisition the use of property of any kind which is used or
               may be used for or in connexion with the operation or
               maintenance of any service;

   (j)  provide for or control, by direction prohibition or requisition, the
        operation use disposal distribution storage repair upkeep and
        maintenance of any property or commodity used or which may be used for
        or in connexion with any service;

   (k)  by notice in writing authorize a person specified in the notice to
        enter any land building or structure used for or in connexion with the
        provision of services;

   (l)  provide, by direction prohibition or requisition, for any matter or
        thing incidental to the carrying into effect of the powers referred to
        in this section.