FINANCIAL RELIEF.
No. 1 of 1936.
An Act relating to Financial Assistance to the States in the provision of Relief to Primary Producers, and for other purposes.
[Assented to 20th March, 1936.]
BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—
Short title and citation.
1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Financial Relief Act 1936.
(2.) The Financial Relief Act 1934–1935 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.
(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Financial Relief Act 1934–1936.
Appropriation for relief to primary producers.
2. Section nineteen of the Principal Act is amended—
(a) by omitting the words “the sum of Three hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “such sums as are necessary” and
(b) by omitting all words after the word “wheat”.
Conditions of payment.
3. Section twenty-one of the Principal Act is amended by omitting the words “thirty-first day of October, One thousand nine hundred and thirty-five” and inserting in their stead the words “thirtieth day of April, One thousand nine hundred and thirty-six”.
Payments to primary producers in Territories.
4. Section twenty-two of the Principal Act is amended—
(a) by omitting the words “out of the amount appropriated by this Part” and inserting in their stead the words “out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is hereby appropriated accordingly”; and
(b) by omitting the words “thirty-first day of October, One thousand nine hundred and thirty-five” and inserting in their stead the words “thirtieth day of April, One thousand nine hundred and thirty-six”.
Overview
The Financial Relief Act 1936 was enacted to address the financial hardships faced by primary producers during the Great Depression. This Act amended the Financial Relief Act 1934–1935, extending the provision of financial assistance to these producers, who were struggling due to the economic downturn. The Act was assented to on 20th March, 1936, by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia. The policy objective was to provide necessary financial support to primary producers to alleviate their economic distress. The Act made amendments to the appropriation for relief, the conditions of payment, and the payments to primary producers in the Territories, ensuring that the necessary sums were available and that the assistance was provided within an extended timeframe.
Scope and Application
The Financial Relief Act 1936 applies to the provision of financial assistance to states for the relief of primary producers. This Act amends the Financial Relief Act 1934–1935, extending the appropriations and payment conditions to provide necessary financial assistance to primary producers in a more flexible and timely manner. The Act specifies that payments will be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and extends the deadline for such payments to the thirtieth day of April, 1936. The application of this Act is national in scope, as it pertains to the financial relief to be provided by the Commonwealth to the states, thereby affecting multiple jurisdictions within Australia. There are no explicit exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the text, implying that the Act applies broadly to all primary producers within the territorial limits of Australia. The application and scope of the Act may be further defined or extended through subordinate instruments, which could provide additional details or conditions on the implementation of the financial relief provisions.
Key Provisions
The Financial Relief Act 1936 (section 1) establishes the short title and citation for the Act and refers to the Financial Relief Act 1934–1935 as the Principal Act. This Act amends the Principal Act by increasing the appropriation for relief to primary producers (section 2), changing the conditions of payment (section 3), and extending the date for payments to primary producers in the Territories (section 4).
Under the Act, the primary obligation is to provide necessary financial assistance to primary producers, extending beyond the original appropriation of Three hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds to whatever sums are necessary (section 2(a)). This change allows for a more flexible and responsive financial support mechanism in the face of the economic hardships affecting primary producers. Additionally, the Act adjusts the timeline for the payment of this relief, extending the deadline from the thirty-first day of October, One thousand nine hundred and thirty-five, to the thirtieth day of April, One thousand nine hundred and thirty-six (sections 3 and 4). This extension gives the government more time to distribute funds effectively and ensures that primary producers receive timely support.
The Act also imposes specific requirements on the entities it governs, particularly in terms of financial management and fund allocation. The payments are to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, ensuring that the government's resources are appropriately allocated for this purpose (section 4(a)). This appropriation requires careful management to ensure that funds are used efficiently and effectively to provide the necessary relief.
In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Act does not explicitly state penalties or criminal consequences for breach. However, the significance of the Act’s purpose and the manner in which it has been amended suggest that failure to adhere to its provisions could have serious ramifications, both legally and in terms of the support provided to primary producers. The extension of timelines and the increase in financial support indicate a critical need for compliance to ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive their assistance. While specific penalties are not mentioned, the implications of non-compliance could include legal scrutiny and potential financial repercussions for entities failing to meet their obligations under the Act.