COMMONWEALTH AID ROADS (SPECIAL ASSISTANCE).
No. 83 of 1957.
An Act to grant further Financial Assistance to the States in connexion with Roads, and for other purposes.
[Assented to 12th December, 1957]
BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, for the purpose of appropriating the grant originated in the House of Representatives, as follows:—
Short title.
1. This Act may be cited as the Commonwealth Aid Roads (Special Assistance) Act 1957.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Definition.
3. In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears, “year” means a period commencing on a first day of July and ending on the following thirtieth day of June.
Grants to States for works on roads.
4.—(1.) In respect of each year during the period of two years that commenced on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven, there is payable to each of the States, for the purpose of financial assistance, the amount specified in the Schedule to this Act in relation to that State.
(2.) Moneys paid to a State under this section shall be expended—
(a) on the construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of roads or on the purchase of road-making plant; or
(b) in making payments to local authorities for the construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of roads or for the purchase of road-making plant.
Certified statement of expenditure to be furnished.
5. Every payment to a State under the last preceding section is subject to the condition that the State will, as soon as practicable after the end of each year in which any amount paid to the State under that section is expended, submit to the Minister—
(a) a statement, in accordance with a form approved by the Minister, showing particulars of the expenditure by the State in that year out of amounts so paid and of the balance of those amounts remaining unexpended at the end of that year; and
(b) a certificate by the Auditor-General for the State that the particulars shown in the statement are correct.
Expenditure for works on roads serving Commonwealth purposes.
6. In respect of each year during the period of two years that commenced on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven, the Minister may authorize the expenditure of amounts not exceeding, in the aggregate, the amount specified in the Schedule to this Act in relation to the Commonwealth on the construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of roads serving Commonwealth purposes or on the purchase of road-making plant for use in connexion with such roads.
Payments to be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
7. Payments under this Act shall be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.
THE SCHEDULE. Sections 4 and 6.
| £ |
New South Wales.......................... | 800,000 |
Victoria................................. | 700,000 |
Queensland.............................. | 500,000 |
South Australia............................ | 325,000 |
Western Australia.......................... | 475,000 |
Tasmania................................ | 150,000 |
The Commonwealth......................... | 50,000 |
Total............................. | 3,000,000 |
Overview
The Commonwealth Aid Roads (Special Assistance) Act 1957 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia with the objective of providing financial assistance to the states for road infrastructure projects. This Act was introduced to address the need for improved road networks across the country, particularly in light of the growing importance of road transportation in facilitating economic activity and connectivity between states. The Act aims to support the construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and repair of roads, as well as the purchase of road-making plant, thereby enhancing the overall quality and accessibility of the nation's road network. The financial assistance provided under this Act is intended to complement the efforts of the states in improving their respective road infrastructures, ultimately contributing to the national goal of better inter-state connectivity and economic development.
Scope and Application
The Commonwealth Aid Roads (Special Assistance) Act 1957 applies to the financial assistance granted to the states of Australia for road-related works, including the construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and repair of roads, as well as the purchase of road-making plant. The Act specifically targets the states of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania, each of which is allocated a specified amount of financial assistance over a two-year period beginning 1 July 1957. Additionally, the Act allows the Minister to authorise expenditures for the construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and repair of roads serving Commonwealth purposes, with a specified aggregate amount allocated to the Commonwealth. The financial assistance is to be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Act does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, nor does it extend its application through subordinate instruments. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of the Act is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, with the financial assistance being directed at state and Commonwealth road projects.
Key Provisions
The Commonwealth Aid Roads (Special Assistance) Act 1957 (referred to as the Act) provides financial assistance to the States for road works and to the Commonwealth for roads serving Commonwealth purposes. Under section 4(1), for each year during a two-year period starting on 1 July 1957, specific amounts are payable to each state, as listed in the schedule, for the construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and repair of roads or for the purchase of road-making plant, as well as making payments to local authorities for similar purposes. Section 4(2) stipulates that any funds paid to a state must be used in accordance with these provisions.
The Act imposes obligations on the states to submit certified statements of expenditure to the Minister as per section 5. These statements must detail the expenditure made from the funds received under section 4 and must include a certificate by the Auditor-General for the state attesting to the correctness of the statement. This requirement ensures transparency and accountability in the use of the funds provided by the Commonwealth.
Breaches of the Act's requirements, such as failure to submit the required certified statements of expenditure, could potentially lead to civil or administrative consequences. Although the Act does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, it is implied that the Minister may take action against states that do not comply with the statutory requirements. This could involve withholding further payments or other administrative sanctions. Furthermore, if any misuse of funds occurs, it may also lead to criminal charges under the Public Service Act or other relevant legislation.