Northern Territory Legislative Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1973 No. 147, made under the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1973, was introduced to amend the financial allowances and expenses for the members of the Northern Territory Legislative Council. The Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1973 provided the legal framework for the administration of the Northern Territory of Australia. The amendments made by these regulations aimed to adjust the fees, allowances, and expenses of the elected members and the President of the Legislative Council to reflect changes in the cost of living and operational expenses. These changes were enacted by the Governor-General of Australia, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, to ensure the legislative adjustments were implemented effectively and efficiently. The objective of the policy was to provide fair and updated remuneration for the Legislative Council members, thereby supporting their roles and responsibilities.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1973 apply specifically to the financial remuneration and allowances for elected members and the President of the Northern Territory Legislative Council. These Regulations amend the Northern Territory Legislative Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations, setting new rates for fees and allowances from a specified date. The amendments include increased rates for the annual fee for elected members, the annual fee for the President, the entertainment allowance for the President, the electoral allowance for elected members, the travelling allowance for elected members, and the telephone allowance for elected members. The changes are effective from 6 May 1973 and apply to the fees and allowances payable from that date until the commencement of these Regulations. These Regulations are a part of the Commonwealth's administrative framework for the Northern Territory and are subject to further modification through subordinate instruments as needed.

Key Provisions

The statutory instrument at hand, Statutory Rules 1973 No. 147, consists of regulations under the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1973, which make amendments to the Northern Territory Legislative Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations. These regulations primarily address adjustments to the fees, allowances, and expenses for members of the Northern Territory Legislative Council. Regulation 2 amends the annual fee for elected members, increasing it from two thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars to seven thousand two hundred and fifty dollars (s. 2). Regulation 3 adjusts the fee for the President, raising it from three thousand three hundred and fifty dollars to eight thousand seven hundred dollars (s. 3). Regulation 4 increases the entertainment allowance for the President from three hundred dollars to four hundred dollars (s. 4). Regulation 5 introduces an electoral allowance for elected members at a rate of five hundred dollars per year, replacing the previous allowance structure (s. 5). Regulation 6 modifies the travelling allowance for elected members, increasing it from sixteen dollars fifty cents to twenty-two dollars (s. 6). Regulation 7 raises the telephone allowance for elected members from two hundred dollars to three hundred dollars (s. 7). These regulations impose specific obligations on the members of the Northern Territory Legislative Council, primarily concerning the financial entitlements they are to receive. Elected members must now adhere to the updated fees, allowances, and expenses as outlined in the amended regulations. This includes the increased annual fee, the higher entertainment and telephone allowances, and the introduction of an electoral allowance. The President of the Legislative Council, as a specific category of elected member, is subject to the heightened fees and allowances detailed in the regulations. The statutory instrument does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with these regulations. However, the context suggests that failure to adhere to the updated financial entitlements could result in legal or administrative repercussions, as non-compliance with legislative regulations generally carries consequences under the relevant governing statutes. The precise nature of these consequences would depend on the broader legal framework governing the Northern Territory Legislative Council and its members.