Northern Territory Administrator's Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1966 No. 57, made under the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1965, were enacted to amend the Northern Territory Administrator’s Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations. These regulations were issued by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and came into operation on 14 February 1966. The primary objective of these regulations is to update the allowance rates for travelling expenses of members, specifically the mileage allowances for various types of motor vehicles. This amendment is designed to ensure that the allowances provided to members are consistent with current economic conditions and vehicle specifications, thereby maintaining the equitable and effective administration of the Northern Territory.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1966 No. 57, made under the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1965, pertain to the amendment of the Northern Territory Administrator’s Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations. These Regulations primarily concern the adjustment of travelling expenses for members of the Administrator’s Council, specifically the mileage allowance rates for different types of motor vehicles. The new rates are set at 13 cents per mile for vehicles of 23 horsepower or over, 12 cents per mile for vehicles of under 23 horsepower but not under 15 horsepower, 11 cents per mile for vehicles of under 15 horsepower but not under 10 ½ horsepower, and 10 cents per mile for vehicles of under 10 ½ horsepower. These Regulations came into operation on the fourteenth day of February, 1966, and they exclusively apply to the Northern Territory, reflecting the jurisdictional reach of the Act. There are no explicit exclusions or thresholds mentioned in these Regulations, and they do not extend or restrict application through subordinate instruments beyond what is stated.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules 1966 No. 57 pertain to the amendment of the Northern Territory Administrator's Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations. Specifically, Regulation 2 addresses the rates of mileage allowance for various types of motor vehicles. It replaces the previous table with a new one that categorises motor vehicles based on their horsepower and assigns a corresponding mileage allowance rate in cents per mile. The new rates are 13 cents per mile for vehicles of 23 horsepower or over, 12 cents per mile for vehicles between 23 and 15 horsepower, 11 cents per mile for vehicles between 15 and 10.5 horsepower, and 10 cents per mile for vehicles under 10.5 horsepower. These Regulations impose specific obligations on members of the Northern Territory Administrator’s Council concerning their travel expenses. The updated mileage allowance rates in Regulation 2 ensure that members are compensated fairly based on the type of vehicle used for official travel. This regulation is aimed at maintaining consistency and fairness in the reimbursement of travel expenses. Members must adhere to the specified rates when claiming mileage allowances for official duties. The amendment of these regulations seeks to provide clear guidelines on what constitutes an appropriate reimbursement for travel, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability in the administration of the Northern Territory. The Statutory Rules 1966 No. 57 do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance with the mileage allowance regulations. However, it can be inferred that failure to adhere to the prescribed mileage rates might result in improper claims or discrepancies in reimbursement. While the regulations themselves do not state maximum penalties, non-compliance with such administrative rules could potentially lead to disciplinary action or financial penalties under broader administrative law or relevant government policies. The emphasis is on ensuring that members accurately and fairly claim travel expenses, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the Northern Territory's administrative processes.