Ministers of State Act 1964

Overview

The Ministers of State Act 1964 was enacted to amend the Ministers of State Act 1952–1959, thereby updating the legal framework governing the number of ministers and their salaries within the Commonwealth of Australia. This Act was introduced to address the need to revise the maximum number of ministers and their remuneration as part of the government's administrative adjustments. Enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, the policy objective of this legislation is to ensure that the executive branch can effectively operate within the prescribed limits of ministerial numbers and compensation. The increase from twenty-two to twenty-five ministers and the adjustment in ministerial salaries reflect evolving governance needs and economic considerations at the time.

Scope and Application

The Ministers of State Act 1964 is a Commonwealth Act that amends the Ministers of State Act 1952–1959, primarily to adjust the number of Ministers and their salaries. The Act applies to the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically to the executive branch of government, affecting the number of Ministers and their remuneration. By increasing the number of Ministers from twenty-two to twenty-five, the Act impacts the composition of the federal Cabinet. Similarly, it adjusts the salaries of these Ministers, reflecting changes in remuneration standards and economic conditions since the original Act was enacted. The Act extends its application to all Ministers appointed under the amended Act, ensuring that the updated provisions govern their positions and salaries. The geographic reach of this legislation is limited to the Commonwealth, with no specified exclusions or exemptions; it applies uniformly across all relevant Ministers without distinction. Any further implementation or detailed provisions regarding subordinate instruments are not explicitly detailed in the text provided.

Key Provisions

The Ministers of State Act 1964 primarily amends the existing Ministers of State Act 1952–1959. Section 1 outlines the citation of the Act and refers to the Principal Act, which is now updated to include the 1964 amendments. Section 2 provides that the Act comes into operation on the day it receives Royal Assent, which in this case is 4th March 1964. Section 3 increases the number of Ministers from twenty-two to twenty-five, while Section 4 adjusts the salaries of Ministers, raising them from sixty-six thousand six hundred to seventy-three thousand three hundred and fifty. The Act imposes specific obligations on the government regarding the number of Ministers and their remuneration. The number of Ministers, as stipulated in Section 3, must be increased from twenty-two to twenty-five. This change reflects a policy decision to expand the executive branch of government. The adjustment in salaries as per Section 4 ensures that the remuneration for Ministers is updated to reflect changes in economic conditions and the cost of living. The Act does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with its provisions. However, the failure to adhere to the specified number of Ministers or to pay the updated salaries could potentially lead to legal challenges or constitutional issues. It is expected that the government would ensure compliance through its administrative processes, as there are no explicit penalties mentioned within the Act.