LOAN APPROPRIATION (UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF).
No. 66 of 1934.
An Act to authorise the Issue and Application of a certain sum of money for the purposes of Works and Services and for the grant of Financial Assistance to the States, and for other purposes.
[Assented to 17th December, 1934.]
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.
1. This Act may be cited as the Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1934.
Appropriation.
2. There shall be appropriated, for the purposes of this Act, out of the proceeds of any loan raised under the authority of any Loan Act, the sum of One million five hundred and thirty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds.
Expenditure on Commonwealth works.
3. Out of the amount appropriated by this Act there may be expended by the Commonwealth the sum of Two hundred thousand pounds in the carrying out of such works and services as are, from time to time, specified by the Treasurer by notice published in the Gazette.
Grants to States.
4.—(1.) Subject to this Act, there may be granted to each State, by way of financial assistance, an amount not exceeding that specified in this section opposite to the name of that State, namely:—
New South Wales............................. | £350,000 |
Victoria................................... | £225,000 |
Queensland................................. | £125,000 |
South Australia.............................. | £125,000 |
Western Australia............................. | £125,000 |
Tasmania.................................. | £50,000 |
(2.) Any amount granted to a State under this section shall be paid upon condition that it is expended by the State in the carrying out of such works as are, from time to time, specified by the Treasurer by notice published in the Gazette.
Grants to States for assistance of metalliferous mining.
5.—(1.) Subject to this Act, there may be granted to each State, by way of financial assistance, an amount not exceeding that specified in this section opposite to the name of that State, namely :—
New South Wales........................... | £42,500 |
Victoria.................................. | £50,000 |
Queensland............................... | £70,000 |
South Australia............................. | £33,500 |
Western Australia........................... | £62,000 |
Tasmania................................. | £25,750 |
(2.) Any amount granted to a State under this section shall be paid upon condition that it is used by the State, in such manner and subject to such conditions as the Treasurer approves, in providing assistance to the metalliferous mining industry.
Method of payment to States.
6. Any amount granted to a State under this Act shall be paid to that State at such times and in such manner as the Treasurer approves.
Assistance for metalliferous mining industry in the Northern Territory.
7. Out of the amount appropriated by this Act there may be expended, in the assistance and development of the metalliferous mining industry in the Northern Territory, the sum of Fifty thousand pounds.
Overview
The Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1934 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to address the severe economic challenges of the Great Depression. The Act authorised the appropriation of £1,533,750 from the proceeds of loans to fund specific works, services, and grants to the states, particularly focusing on providing relief through employment opportunities. The primary objective of the Act was to mitigate the effects of unemployment by financing infrastructure projects and supporting the metalliferous mining industry, which was crucial to the economic recovery of the states.
The Act also sought to provide financial assistance to states, stipulating that the funds must be used for designated works or for supporting the mining industry, as approved by the Treasurer. This legislation was a strategic response to the economic hardship of the time, aiming to stimulate job creation and economic stability through targeted financial support and infrastructure development.
Scope and Application
The Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1934 applies to the Commonwealth of Australia and its states, focusing on the appropriation of funds for specific purposes during a time of economic hardship. The Act allocates a significant sum of money, intended to be used for the execution of works and services, as well as for the provision of financial assistance to the states to support various initiatives, including unemployment relief and assistance for the metalliferous mining industry. The allocation of funds is meticulously detailed, with specific amounts designated for each state, both for general works and services and for targeted assistance to the metalliferous mining sector. The Act’s jurisdiction extends to the entire Commonwealth, and it mandates that funds are to be used strictly in accordance with the conditions set forth within the legislation. Additionally, the Act outlines the method of payment to the states, ensuring that the distribution of funds is managed and approved by the Treasurer. The Act’s primary focus on unemployment relief and support for the metalliferous mining industry indicates its targeted application to alleviate economic distress and stimulate industry-specific development.
Key Provisions
The Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1934 (sections 2-7) outlines the appropriation of funds for specific purposes including Commonwealth works, grants to states for various initiatives, and assistance to the metalliferous mining industry. The Act specifies that £1,533,750 will be appropriated from the proceeds of any loan raised under a Loan Act, with £200,000 allocated for Commonwealth works and services, as specified by the Treasurer. Additionally, the Act provides for grants to the states, with specific amounts allocated for general assistance (sections 4) and for assistance to the metalliferous mining industry (section 5). The Act also includes provisions for expenditure in the Northern Territory to support the metalliferous mining industry (section 7).
The obligations imposed by the Act on the parties involved include the requirement for the Treasurer to specify the works and services for which the funds are to be expended (section 3 and 4(2)). The Treasurer also has the authority to approve the manner and conditions under which the grants are to be used, particularly in the case of grants for assistance to the metalliferous mining industry (section 5(2)). Furthermore, the Act mandates that any payments made to the states must be in accordance with the Treasurer's approval (section 6).
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act may result in legal consequences. While the Act does not explicitly state specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches, it can be inferred that non-compliance with the Treasurer's specifications or conditions for the use of funds could lead to legal action. Given the historical context of the Act, any significant non-compliance could potentially lead to financial penalties or other legal ramifications, although the exact penalties are not detailed in the text provided.