Ministers of State Act 1951

Overview

The Ministers of State Act 1951 was enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to amend the Ministers of State Act 1935–1947. The 1951 Act addresses the need to update the structure and remuneration of the ministerial positions within the federal government. Specifically, it increases the number of Ministers permitted from nineteen to twenty and adjusts the salary of these Ministers from £27,650 to £29,000. The policy objective, as reflected in these amendments, is to accommodate the evolving needs of the government while ensuring that the remuneration of Ministers remains commensurate with their responsibilities and the economic context of the time.

Scope and Application

The Ministers of State Act 1951 amends the Ministers of State Act 1935–1947 to adjust the number of ministers and their salaries. This Act applies to the Commonwealth level, affecting the federal government's executive branch by increasing the number of ministers from nineteen to twenty and adjusting their salaries from Twenty-seven thousand six hundred and fifty pounds to Twenty-nine thousand pounds. The Act does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and its amendments are direct and self-contained without reliance on subordinate instruments. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of the Act is limited to the Commonwealth, impacting the federal government's structure and remuneration of its ministers.

Key Provisions

The Ministers of State Act 1951 primarily serves to amend the Ministers of State Act 1935–1947, which is now referred to as the Principal Act (section 1). This amending Act, upon receiving Royal Assent, will be cited as the Ministers of State Act 1935–1951 (section 1). The Act comes into operation on the day it receives Royal Assent (section 2). A significant amendment is the increase in the number of Ministers from nineteen to twenty (section 3). Additionally, the salaries of Ministers are revised from Twenty-seven thousand six hundred and fifty pounds to Twenty-nine thousand pounds (section 4). The Act imposes specific obligations and requirements on the government and its officials. By increasing the number of Ministers to twenty, the Act mandates that the government must now appoint and manage an additional Minister, which may involve additional administrative and logistical considerations. Furthermore, the salary adjustment necessitates that the government revise its budget allocations to accommodate the increased remuneration for Ministers. These changes are significant as they directly impact the structure and financial commitments of the government. There are no explicit provisions in the Act that outline offences, penalties, or consequences for breach. However, the requirement to appoint an additional Minister and adjust salaries may have implications if not adhered to. Failure to appoint the additional Minister or to adjust salaries as specified could potentially lead to legal challenges or administrative issues, although the Act does not detail specific penalties for such failures. Therefore, while the Act itself does not impose criminal or civil penalties, non-compliance could result in broader legal or political consequences.