Ministers of State Act 1917

Overview

The Ministers of State Act 1917 was enacted to address the need for an increased number of Ministers of State and to adjust the appropriation for their salaries. This Act was passed by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia and received Royal Assent on the 28th of September, 1917. It repealed the previous Ministers of State Act 1915 and introduced provisions to allow for a maximum of nine Ministers of State, up from the previous limit of seven. Additionally, the Act increased the amount appropriated for the salaries of these Ministers from Thirteen thousand six hundred and fifty pounds to Fifteen thousand three hundred pounds. The policy objective behind this legislation was to accommodate the growing administrative needs of the Commonwealth government by enabling the appointment of more Ministers and ensuring adequate financial resources for their remuneration.

Scope and Application

The Ministers of State Act 1917 applies to the federal government of Australia, specifically concerning the number of Ministers of State and their salaries. The Act increases the maximum number of Ministers of State from eight to nine and adjusts the appropriated amount for their salaries from Thirteen thousand six hundred and fifty pounds to Fifteen thousand three hundred pounds. This Act applies to the Commonwealth level and directly impacts the executive branch by modifying the composition and financial remuneration of the Ministers of State. It repeals the previous Ministers of State Act 1915, thereby replacing it with the new stipulations outlined in the 1917 Act. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the text of this Act, which is narrowly focused on the specified changes to the number and salaries of Ministers. The application of this Act is straightforward, without extension or restriction through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Ministers of State Act 1917 (section 1) establishes the legislative framework for the number and remuneration of Ministers of State in the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act (section 2) repeals the preceding Ministers of State Act 1915, indicating a revision and update to the legislative provisions governing Ministers of State. Under section 3 of the Act, the maximum number of Ministers of State is increased from seven to nine, allowing for a broader executive structure. The Act also specifies in section 4 that the annual sum appropriated for the salaries of the Ministers of State is increased from Thirteen thousand six hundred and fifty pounds to Fifteen thousand three hundred pounds, to be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Commonwealth. The Act imposes certain obligations on the parties it governs. Section 3 mandates that the number of Ministers of State must not exceed nine, thereby setting a clear upper limit on the executive body's size. Section 4 ensures that the increased salary appropriation is made available to the Ministers of State, reflecting the government's commitment to adequate compensation for their roles. The Act implicitly requires that the salaries of Ministers be managed within the allocated budget, ensuring financial responsibility and adherence to the appropriated amount. Breaches of the provisions set out in the Act could lead to various consequences, though the Act itself does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance. Given that the Act deals with the structure and remuneration of the executive, any significant deviation from the prescribed number of Ministers or misuse of the salary appropriation could potentially lead to legal scrutiny and implications under broader administrative or public office laws. However, the Act does not detail these potential consequences or maximum penalties within its text.