Ministers of State Amendment Act 1992
No. 50 of 1992
An Act to amend the Ministers of State Act 1952
[Assented to 17 June 1992]
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
Short title etc.
1.(1) This Act may be cited as the Ministers of State Amendment Act 1992.
(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 paragraphs (a) and (b) and substituting the following paragraphs:
“(a) in the financial year that commenced on 1 July 1991— $1,510,000; or
(b) in a subsequent financial year—$1,538,000.”.
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; No. 19, 1988; No. 20, 1989; and No. 109, 1990.
[Minister’s second reading speech made in—
House of Representatives on 7 May 1992
Senate on 28 May 1992]
Overview
The Ministers of State Amendment Act 1992 was enacted to amend the existing framework governing the salaries and allowances of ministers of state in Australia, as originally established under the Ministers of State Act 1952. This Act was introduced by the Parliament of Australia and received Royal Assent on 17 June 1992. The primary objective of this legislation was to update the salary provisions for ministers, ensuring that they reflect the economic conditions and financial responsibilities of the period. This update aimed to maintain the adequacy and fairness of ministerial remuneration while aligning with the fiscal context of the time.
Scope and Application
The Ministers of State Amendment Act 1992 amends the existing Ministers of State Act 1952, primarily to adjust the salary provisions for ministers. This Act applies to the ministers of the Commonwealth of Australia and their remuneration as set out in the Principal Act. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this Act is national, as it pertains to the federal government and its ministers. The Act came into effect on the day it received the Royal Assent, which was on 17 June 1992. It specifically revises the salaries of ministers, updating the financial compensation for these roles. This amendment does not introduce any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond what is specified within the Act itself. The Act may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, though the current text does not provide specific details on such provisions.
Key Provisions
The Ministers of State Amendment Act 1992 (hereafter referred to as the "Act") is an amendment to the Ministers of State Act 1952. The primary purpose of the Act is to adjust the salary provisions for ministers under the Principal Act. Section 3 of the Act replaces the existing salary provisions for ministers with new figures, effective from different financial years. Specifically, it sets the salary for ministers in the financial year commencing 1 July 1991 at $1,510,000, and for subsequent financial years, it sets the salary at $1,538,000. These provisions are intended to update the compensation in line with the changing economic conditions and responsibilities of the office.
The Act imposes clear obligations on the government to ensure that ministers are compensated according to the new rates set forth in Section 3. This means that from the specified financial years, the government must adjust the payment structures to reflect the new salaries, ensuring compliance with the legislative requirements. This includes updating any related financial systems, payroll processes, and potentially informing relevant stakeholders about the changes.
Breach of the Act’s provisions could lead to serious consequences, although the Act itself does not explicitly detail penalties for non-compliance. However, failure to adhere to legislative mandates regarding ministerial salaries could be seen as a violation of the public trust and might result in broader legal or political repercussions. Given the importance of ministerial salaries in maintaining the integrity of public office, non-compliance could attract scrutiny from parliamentary oversight bodies, the judiciary, or the public, potentially leading to disciplinary actions or other legal consequences.