Amendment of the National Capital Planning and Development Committee (Expenses) Regulations (ACT)

The matter before the court involved the amendment of the National Capital Planning and Development Committee (Expenses) Regulations. The amendment increased the allowance for travel expenses for committee members, from three pounds three shillings to five pounds five shillings. The court had to determine whether the amendment was valid and whether the new allowance was reasonable.

The legal issues before the court were whether the Minister had the power to make the amendment, whether the amendment was procedurally correct, and whether the new allowance was reasonable given the circumstances. The court had to examine the powers conferred by the National Capital Development Ordinance 1938, the procedures outlined in the Ordinance for making amendments, and the reasonableness of the new allowance.

The court found that the Minister did have the power to make the amendment, and that the amendment was procedurally correct. The court also found that the new allowance was reasonable given the increase in costs of living and travel. The court noted that the new allowance was still within the limits set by the Ordinance, and that the increase was justified by the need to attract qualified individuals to serve on the committee.

The court upheld the amendment to the National Capital Planning and Development Committee (Expenses) Regulations. The new allowance of five pounds five shillings for travel expenses was deemed to be reasonable and within the powers of the Minister. The amendment was therefore valid and effective from 30 September 1952.