Governor-General Amendment Act 1982
No. 44 of 1982
An Act to amend the Governor-General Act 1974 with respect to the salary of the Governor-General
[Assented to 9 June 1982]
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen, and the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:
Short title, &c.
1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Governor-General Amendment Act 1982.
(2) The Governor-General Act 19741 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.
Commencement
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent, but the amendment made by section 3 does not have effect during the continuance in office of the person holding office as Governor-General immediately before the commencement of this Act.
3. Section 3 of the Principal Act is repealed and the following section is substituted:
Salary of Governor-General
“3. The annual salary payable out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the salary of the Governor-General shall be $70,000.”.
NOTE
1. No. 16, 1974, as amended. For previous amendment, see No. 118, 1977.
Overview
The Governor-General Amendment Act 1982 was enacted to adjust the salary provisions of the Governor-General Act 1974. This Act, which was passed by the Queen in Parliament and assented to on 9 June 1982, sought to rectify the remuneration of the Governor-General by specifying a new annual salary of $70,000. The amendments introduced by this Act aimed to ensure that the salary of the Governor-General is commensurate with the responsibilities and duties of the office, reflecting a legislative recognition of the importance of this role in the Australian government. The changes were designed to take effect immediately upon receiving Royal Assent, although the new salary rate would not apply retroactively to the incumbent Governor-General in office at the time of enactment.
Scope and Application
The Governor-General Amendment Act 1982 is an Act of the Commonwealth Parliament that amends the Governor-General Act 1974 with respect to the salary of the Governor-General. The Act applies specifically to the Governor-General, the highest representative of the Crown in Australia. This legislation alters the remuneration for the office by setting the annual salary at $70,000, payable from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Act’s jurisdictional reach is limited to the Commonwealth level, impacting federal governance by directly affecting the emoluments of the Governor-General. It is noteworthy that the amendment concerning salary does not apply retroactively to the incumbent Governor-General who was in office prior to the Act's commencement. The Act itself does not provide for extensions or restrictions through subordinate instruments, as its provisions are self-contained and specific to the alteration of the salary stipulations outlined in the Principal Act.
Key Provisions
The Governor-General Amendment Act 1982 (Act) makes specific changes to the Governor-General Act 1974 (Principal Act) regarding the salary of the Governor-General. Section 3 of the Principal Act is repealed and replaced with a new provision specifying the annual salary of the Governor-General as $70,000. This adjustment in remuneration is a direct alteration to the financial compensation stipulated for the office of the Governor-General.
The Act imposes obligations on the Commonwealth to ensure that the new salary of $70,000 is disbursed annually to the Governor-General from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This requirement is clear and unambiguous, necessitating the payment of the specified amount to the Governor-General, as per the new legislative framework. The Act ensures that this financial obligation is consistently met, regardless of any changes in the political or administrative landscape.
Breach of the provisions in this Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences in the text provided. However, it is implicit that failure to adhere to the stipulated salary would constitute a non-compliance with legislative requirements. Although the text does not detail maximum penalties or specific consequences for non-compliance, such breaches could potentially lead to legal scrutiny or administrative actions to enforce the correct payment of the Governor-General's salary. It is important for those responsible for the financial administration of the Governor-General's salary to ensure strict adherence to this Act to avoid any repercussions that may arise from non-compliance.