Ministers of State
No. 102 of 1968
An Act relating to the Salaries and Allowances of the Ministers of State.
[Assented to 29 November 1968]
BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—
Short title and citation.
1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Ministers of State Act 1968.
(2.) The Ministers of State Act 1952–1967 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 1952–1968.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the first day of December, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight.
Salaries of Ministers.
3. Section 5 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting the words “One hundred and ninety-seven thousand, three hundred” and inserting in their stead the words “Two hundred and forty-five thousand, five hundred”.
Additional allowance to Prime Minister.
4. Section 6 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting the words “Eight thousand” and inserting in their stead the words “Ten thousand three hundred”.
Additional allowances to Ministers.
5. Section 7 of the Principal Act is amended—
(a) by omitting from sub-section (1.) the words “Three thousand six hundred” and inserting in their stead the words “Four thousand six hundred”; and
(b) by omitting from sub-section (2.) the words “Three thousand” and inserting in their stead the words “Four thousand”.
* Act No. 1, 1952, as amended by No. 1, 1956; No. 18, 1959; Nos. 1 and 71, 1964; No. 93, 1966; and No. 1, 1967.
Overview
The Ministers of State Act 1968 was enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia to address the need for updated remuneration for ministers of state within the federal government. This Act primarily amends the previous Ministers of State Act 1952–1967 to reflect the necessary adjustments in the salaries and allowances of ministers, including the Prime Minister and other ministers, ensuring their compensation aligns with current economic conditions and responsibilities. The policy objective of this legislation is to provide fair and adequate remuneration for ministers, thereby maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the federal government.
The Act came into operation on 1 December 1968, amending specific sections of the Principal Act to increase the salaries and allowances for the Prime Minister and other ministers. The adjustments include raising the salary of ministers from one hundred and ninety-seven thousand, three hundred to two hundred and forty-five thousand, five hundred, and increasing the additional allowance to the Prime Minister from eight thousand to ten thousand, three hundred. Additionally, the allowances for other ministers were updated from three thousand, six hundred to four thousand, six hundred, and from three thousand to four thousand, reflecting the need for appropriate compensation for the roles and responsibilities of ministers of state.
Scope and Application
The Ministers of State Act 1968 pertains to the financial remuneration of Australian Ministers of State, specifically addressing the salaries and allowances of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, and other Ministers. This Act amends the existing Ministers of State Act 1952–1967, and it applies to all Ministers of State in the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act sets out revised figures for the salaries of the Prime Minister and other Ministers, as well as additional allowances for the Prime Minister and Ministers. The Act's provisions extend across the national jurisdiction, impacting all Ministers within the Commonwealth. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the Act itself, but the application and interpretation of the Act may be further detailed through subordinate instruments or regulations. This Act, in its current form, serves to update the financial provisions for Ministers, reflecting changes in the economic and political landscape of Australia since the original Act was enacted.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of the Ministers of State Act 1968 (C1968A00102) include the amendments to the Salaries and Allowances of the Ministers of State, which are detailed in sections 3, 4, and 5. Section 3 amends the salary of Ministers by increasing it from One hundred and ninety-seven thousand, three hundred to Two hundred and forty-five thousand, five hundred. Section 4 increases the additional allowance to the Prime Minister from Eight thousand to Ten thousand three hundred. Section 5 adjusts the allowances for other Ministers, increasing them from Three thousand six hundred to Four thousand six hundred under subsection (1) and from Three thousand to Four thousand under subsection (2).
The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the entities it governs. Firstly, it mandates the adjustment of the salaries and allowances of the Ministers of State as per the specified amendments. This involves updating the financial records to reflect the new figures, ensuring that payments are made accordingly. Additionally, it requires that these changes be communicated to the relevant stakeholders to ensure transparency and compliance with the updated remuneration provisions.
Breaching the provisions of this Act could lead to various consequences, although the Act does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance. However, given the nature of the Act, failure to comply with the financial adjustments could result in legal scrutiny and potential disciplinary action against those responsible for administering the salaries and allowances. The precise penalties would depend on the context and severity of the breach, but it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance could lead to financial discrepancies and reputational damage for the individuals or entities involved.