STATUTORY RULES.
1960. No. 20.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
(ADMINISTRATION) ACT 1910-1959.*
I THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1959.
Dated this 7th
day of April, 1960.
DUNROSSIL
Governor-General.
By His Excellency's Command,
Minister of State for Territories.
NORTHERN TERRITORY ADMINISTRATOR’S COUNCIL (FEES, ALLOWANCES AND EXPENSES) REGULATIONS.
Citation.
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Northern Territory Administrator's Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations.
Definition.
2. In these Regulations, “member of the Administrator's Council” means a member of the Administrator's Council set up under Part IV. of the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1959, other than the Administrator or a member who is an official member of the Legislative Council.
Fees of members.
3. A member of the Administrator's Council shall receive a fee at the rate of Two hundred and fifty pounds a year.
Travelling allowances of members.
4. Where a member of the Administrator's Council is absent from his home overnight by reason of his attendance at a meeting of the Administrator's Council, the member shall receive travelling allowance at the rate of Five pounds five shillings a day for each hour during which he is so absent from his home.
Travelling expenses for members.
5. Where a member of the Administrator's Council makes a journey for the purpose of attending a meeting, or for the purpose of attending to business, of the Administrator's Council, the Administrator may authorize in respect of the whole, or such part as he considers reasonable, of the journey—
(a) the reimbursement to the member of the cost of his fare for so much of the whole, or the part, of the journey as was made by public transport; and
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1960.
9780/59.—Price 3d. 9/3.12.1959.
(b) the payment to the member of a mileage allowance, in accordance with the following table, for so much of the whole, or the part, of the journey as was made by means of a motor vehicle not engaged in public transport:—
Type of Vehicle. | Rate of Mileage Allowance—per Mile. |
| s. | d. |
Motor vehicle of 23 horse-power or over ...................... | 1 | 3 |
Motor vehicle of under 23 horse-power, but not under 15 horse-power .. | 1 | 2 |
Motor vehicle of under 15 horse-power, but not under 10½ horse-power . | 1 | 1 |
Motor vehicle of under 10½ horse-power ..................... | 1 | 0 |
By Authority: A. J. Arthur, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.
Overview
The Northern Territory Administrator's Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations, enacted in 1960, were established under the authority of the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1959. This legislation was designed to address the need for clear guidelines and financial provisions for the members of the Administrator's Council, ensuring that they could be adequately compensated for their time and travel expenses related to their duties. The Federal Executive Council, acting on advice, facilitated the creation of these regulations to provide a structured framework for the remuneration and allowances of council members, which was crucial for the effective administration of the Northern Territory at that time.
These regulations, made by the Governor-General with the concurrence of the Minister of State for Territories, aim to specify the fees, allowances, and expenses to which members of the Administrator's Council are entitled. This includes setting a fixed annual fee for council members, as well as detailing the allowances for travel and mileage reimbursements based on the type of vehicle used. By providing a clear set of financial entitlements, the regulations ensure that council members can carry out their responsibilities without financial impediments, thereby supporting the governance and administration processes in the Northern Territory.
Scope and Application
The Northern Territory Administrator's Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations, made under the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1959, provide specific provisions for the remuneration and allowances of members of the Administrator's Council. These Regulations apply to members of the Administrator's Council who are not the Administrator himself or an official member of the Legislative Council. The Regulations outline the annual fees, daily travelling allowances for overnight absences, and travel reimbursements or allowances for journeys related to Council business. The fees and allowances are calculated on a per-member basis and vary according to the nature of the travel and the type of vehicle used. This legislative instrument governs the financial entitlements of members within the Northern Territory's administrative framework, ensuring that they receive appropriate compensation for their service and travel expenses related to Council duties.
Key Provisions
The Northern Territory Administrator's Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations (1960) provide detailed provisions regarding the remuneration and allowances for members of the Administrator's Council. Specifically, Section 3 states that each member of the Administrator's Council is entitled to an annual fee of Two hundred and fifty pounds. In addition, Section 4 stipulates that members who are required to be absent from their homes overnight for Council meetings shall receive a daily travelling allowance of Five pounds five shillings for each hour of absence. Further, Section 5 outlines the conditions under which members can claim reimbursement for travel expenses related to attending meetings or conducting business for the Council. This includes reimbursement for public transport fares and mileage allowances for private vehicle use, with the rates varying depending on the horsepower of the vehicle.
The obligations imposed by these Regulations on members of the Administrator's Council are primarily related to their attendance and participation in Council meetings and related business. Members must be present at meetings, which may necessitate overnight stays away from home, entitling them to the specified allowances. Additionally, they must keep accurate records of their travel expenses for any journeys undertaken for Council business to facilitate reimbursement claims. The Regulations also require the Administrator to authorize any reimbursements or allowances, ensuring that the claims are reasonable and substantiated.
Failure to comply with the provisions of these Regulations may have various consequences, although the text does not explicitly detail any specific offences or penalties. However, it can be inferred that non-compliance could potentially lead to disputes over the legitimacy of claimed allowances and reimbursements. For example, if a member submits an excessive or unsubstantiated claim for travel expenses, this could result in a refusal to pay the claim by the Administrator. While the Regulations do not specify maximum penalties, any disputes or breaches could be addressed under general administrative or legal frameworks applicable to public officers and their entitlements.