Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1935

Overview

The Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1935 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to amend the Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1934. This legislation aimed to address the economic challenges posed by the Great Depression by providing financial relief and support to various sectors and regions. The Act increases the appropriation for unemployment relief and allocates funds for specific purposes such as assisting the metalliferous mining industry in the Northern Territory and Papua, providing forestry grants to the states, and funding various infrastructure projects across different government departments and territories. The policy objective is to stimulate economic activity and provide necessary support during a period of high unemployment and economic uncertainty.

Scope and Application

The Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1935 amends the Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1934 to adjust the appropriations for various purposes, primarily focusing on unemployment relief, metalliferous mining industry support, forestry, and specific infrastructure projects. The Act applies to the Commonwealth and its territories, including the Northern Territory, Federal Capital Territory, and the Territory of Norfolk Island. It also provides financial assistance to the states for forestry purposes, subject to the conditions approved by the Treasurer. The amended appropriations include an increase for unemployment relief and adjustments for support to the metalliferous mining industry in the Northern Territory and Papua, as well as grants to states for forestry and forestry in the Territory for the Seat of Government. The Act further specifies expenditures for various government departments and territories for infrastructure and development projects as detailed in the attached schedule. The Act does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, but the expenditures and grants are subject to the conditions set by the Treasurer.

Key Provisions

The Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1935 primarily modifies the appropriations made in the Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1934 (Principal Act) to provide additional funding for specific purposes. The Act raises the total appropriation amount from £1,533,750 to £2,064,750 (sections 1 and 2). It also revises allocations for assistance to the metalliferous mining industry in the Northern Territory, reducing it from £50,000 to £45,000 (section 3). Additionally, it provides £5,000 for the assistance and development of the metalliferous mining industry in Papua and sets specific grants for forestry initiatives in the states and territories (sections 8, 9, and 10). The Act further allocates funds for various government departments and specific projects detailed in the attached schedule (section 11). Under the Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1935, the Commonwealth Treasurer is tasked with approving the manner and conditions of expenditure for certain funds. These funds include the £5,000 for the metalliferous mining industry in Papua, the grants for forestry in the states and territories, and the specified amounts for various government departments and projects listed in the Schedule (sections 8, 9, 10, and 11). The Act mandates that any forestry grants provided to the states must be used in accordance with conditions set by the Treasurer (section 9(2)). Violations of the provisions set forth in the Loan Appropriation (Unemployment Relief) Act 1935 may result in various consequences. The Act does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches. However, general provisions under Australian law may apply where legislative mandates are not followed, which could lead to legal actions, fines, or other penalties as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities. The maximum penalties would depend on the specific nature of the breach and the applicable laws at the time of the offence.