Ministers of State Amendment Act 1989
No. 20 of 1989
An Act to amend section 5 of the Ministers of State Act 1952
[Assented to 20 April 1989]
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen, and the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:
Short title etc.
1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Ministers of State Amendment Act 1989.
(2) In this Act, “Principal Act” means the Ministers of State Act 19521.
Commencement
2. This Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Salaries of Ministers
3. Section 5 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting “$745,000” and substituting “$820,000”.
NOTE
1. No. 1, 1952, as amended. For previous amendments, see No. 1, 1956; No. 18, 1959; Nos. 1 and 71, 1964; No. 93, 1966 (as amended by No. 3, 1967); No. 1, 1967; No. 102, 1968; No. 43, 1971; No. 14, 1973 (as amended by No. 216, 1973); No. 216, 1973 (as amended by No. 20, 1974); No. 82, 1978; No. 141, 1979; No. 165, 1980; No. 121, 1981; No. 78, 1982; No. 128, 1983; No. 73, 1984; No. 56, 1985; No. 26, 1986; Nos. 71 and 91, 1987; and No. 19, 1988.
[Minister’s second reading speech made in—
House of Representatives on 2 March 1989
Senate on 8 March 1989]
Overview
The Ministers of State Amendment Act 1989 was enacted to adjust the salary of ministers under the Ministers of State Act 1952. This Act was passed by the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, and it received Royal Assent on 20 April 1989. The primary objective of this Act was to update the remuneration for ministers, reflecting the economic conditions and cost of living adjustments since the original Act's enactment in 1952. By amending section 5 of the Principal Act, the Act increased the salary cap from $745,000 to $820,000, ensuring that ministerial compensation remains competitive and adequate for the responsibilities of the role.
Scope and Application
The Ministers of State Amendment Act 1989 is an Act of the Commonwealth of Australia that amends the Ministers of State Act 1952. This Act specifically targets the alteration of section 5, which concerns the salaries of Ministers, by adjusting the annual remuneration from $745,000 to $820,000. The Act applies directly to Ministers of the Crown within the Commonwealth and ensures that their remuneration is updated in line with legislative mandates. The scope of the Act is limited to the amendment of the specified section of the Principal Act and does not extend to other aspects of ministerial conduct or responsibilities. The Act’s jurisdiction is national, given that it amends a Commonwealth statute, thereby impacting Ministers across all states and territories within Australia. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the Act itself, and it does not extend its application through subordinate instruments. The Act came into force on the day it received Royal Assent, which was 20 April 1989.
Key Provisions
The Ministers of State Amendment Act 1989 (referred to as the "Act") is a legislative instrument designed to make specific amendments to the Ministers of State Act 1952. The primary focus of this Act is to revise the salary of Ministers of State. Section 3 of the Act amends Section 5 of the Principal Act, updating the annual salary for Ministers from $745,000 to $820,000. This adjustment ensures that the remuneration of Ministers reflects current economic conditions and responsibilities associated with the role.
In terms of obligations and requirements, the Act imposes a statutory duty on the government to adhere to the updated salary figures for Ministers. This means that any payments to Ministers must now reflect the new amount of $820,000 per annum, as specified in the Act. The amendment is direct and straightforward, aiming to ensure that all relevant financial arrangements are updated accordingly.
Regarding the consequences of non-compliance, the Act does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for failing to adhere to the updated salary provisions. However, the failure to comply with statutory requirements can lead to broader legal and administrative repercussions. For instance, if the government does not implement the salary adjustment, it could face legal challenges or be subject to oversight and scrutiny from parliamentary committees. Although the Act itself does not specify a maximum penalty, any failure to implement the required changes could lead to reputational damage and potential political fallout.