MINISTERS OF STATE.
No. 18 of 1959.
An Act to amend the Ministers of State Act 1952-1956.
[Assented to 23rd April, 1959.]
BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, for the purpose of appropriating the grant originated in the House of Representatives, as follows:—
Short title and citation.
1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Ministers of State Act 1959.
(2.) The Ministers of State Act 1952-1956 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.
(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Ministers of State Act 1952-1959.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall be deemed to have come into operation on the first day of March, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-nine.
Salaries of Ministers.
3. Section five of the Principal Act is amended by omitting the words “Forty-six thousand five hundred” and inserting in their stead the words “Sixty-six thousand six hundred”.
4. Section seven of the Principal Act is repealed and the following section inserted in its stead:—
Additional allowance to Ministers.
“7.—(1.) There is payable to each of such Ministers of State (other than the Prime Minister) as the Prime Minister determines, but not exceeding eleven in number, an allowance, in addition to his salary, at the rate of One thousand five hundred pounds a year.
“(2.) There is payable to each other Minister of State (other than the Prime Minister) an allowance, in addition to his salary, at the rate of One thousand two hundred and fifty pounds a year.
“(3.) The allowances provided for by this section are payable out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.”.
Overview
The Ministers of State Act 1959, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, was introduced to amend the Ministers of State Act 1952-1956 in response to the need for updated provisions governing the remuneration of ministers. This Act serves to adjust the salaries and allowances of ministers, ensuring they are reflective of contemporary standards and responsibilities. The policy objective is to provide appropriate financial compensation for ministers, thereby maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the government. The Act appropriates a grant originating in the House of Representatives and adjusts the monetary values stipulated in the original legislation to reflect changes in economic conditions and the increased demands of ministerial duties.
Scope and Application
The Ministers of State Act 1959 applies to the persons who hold office as Ministers of State within the Commonwealth of Australia, excluding the Prime Minister. The Act amends the existing Ministers of State Act 1952-1956, which is referred to as the Principal Act, to adjust the remuneration of Ministers. Specifically, the Act increases the salary of Ministers and introduces additional allowances for certain Ministers, subject to a cap of eleven individuals as determined by the Prime Minister. The amended Act, now titled the Ministers of State Act 1952-1959, came into operation on 1 March 1959. The allowances provided for by this Act are to be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Act does not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions, and it does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The Ministers of State Act 1959 (section 1) amends the Ministers of State Act 1952-1956, now referred to as the Principal Act. This amendment, now titled the Ministers of State Act 1952-1959, came into effect on 1 March 1959 (section 2). The Act specifically revises the salary of Ministers, increasing it from £46,500 to £66,600 (section 3). Additionally, it introduces new allowances for Ministers, replacing the previous provisions. Under the new structure, the Prime Minister can determine that up to eleven Ministers of State receive an additional allowance of £1,500 per year, while other Ministers of State receive an allowance of £1,250 per year (section 7).
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. The Prime Minister has the authority to determine which Ministers, not exceeding eleven, receive the higher allowance of £1,500 per year. This decision must be made in accordance with the provisions of the Act. All allowances are to be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly (section 7(3)). These financial provisions are intended to ensure that the remuneration of Ministers is managed transparently and in line with the legislative framework established by the Act.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act could lead to legal consequences. While the Act does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties, non-compliance with the financial provisions could potentially lead to legal challenges regarding the appropriation and distribution of funds from the Consolidated Revenue. The consequences of such non-compliance could include financial discrepancies and legal disputes over the appropriate use of public funds, which could ultimately be subject to review and correction by the relevant authorities.