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

Overview

The Northern Territory Legislative Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations 1960 were enacted to establish the fees, allowances, and expenses for elected and non-official members of the Northern Territory Legislative Council. This legislative instrument was made under the authority of the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1959 and came into effect on 9 January 1960. The regulations were introduced to provide a clear framework for the remuneration and expenses of the Legislative Council members, ensuring they could perform their duties effectively. The policy objective of these regulations was to ensure that members of the Legislative Council received appropriate compensation for their services and incurred expenses while carrying out their duties. The regulations replaced the previous Northern Territory Legislative Council (Fees and Expenses) Regulations, providing updated and comprehensive guidelines for allowances and expenses.

Scope and Application

The Northern Territory Legislative Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations were made under the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1959 and pertain to the financial entitlements of elected and non-official members of the Northern Territory Legislative Council. These regulations provide specific rates for annual fees, electoral allowances, and travelling allowances and expenses for these members, thereby ensuring that they are compensated for their duties and the costs incurred in performing their roles. This legislation applies within the jurisdictional scope of the Northern Territory and does not extend beyond it. The regulations explicitly outline the allowances for members representing different electoral districts and the rates for reimbursements and mileage allowances for journeys undertaken for council business, ensuring that the financial support for these members is both clear and consistent.

Key Provisions

The Northern Territory Legislative Council (Fees, Allowances and Expenses) Regulations (1960) establish the financial entitlements for members of the Legislative Council in the Northern Territory. These provisions detail the fees, allowances, and expenses that elected and non-official members of the Legislative Council are entitled to receive (Regulation 4). For instance, both elected and non-official members receive an annual fee of Four hundred pounds (Regulation 4). Elected members also receive an allowance for the expenses related to their duties, which varies based on the Electoral District they represent: members of Fannie Bay, Larrakeyah, or Port Darwin receive One hundred pounds a year, while members of other districts receive Two hundred pounds a year (Regulation 5). Furthermore, members are entitled to a daily travelling allowance of Five pounds five shillings for each hour they are away from home overnight due to attendance at meetings (Regulation 6). The Regulations also permit reimbursement of travel costs for journeys undertaken for Legislative Council business, including reimbursement of the cost of public transport fares and the payment of a mileage allowance for private vehicle travel (Regulation 7). The Regulations impose several obligations on the parties involved, particularly the members of the Legislative Council. Elected and non-official members must accurately report their attendance and expenses related to their duties to be eligible for the allowances and reimbursements stipulated. They must also comply with the rules for claiming mileage allowances and travel costs, ensuring that all expenses are reasonable and directly related to their Legislative Council duties. The Administrator holds the authority to review and approve reimbursement claims, ensuring that the expenses are justified and within the scope of the Regulations (Regulation 7). Breaches of the provisions outlined in the Regulations may result in legal consequences. Although the Regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, any misuse of funds or fraudulent claims could potentially lead to legal action under related legislation, such as the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth). In the case of fraudulent claims or misuse of allowances, individuals could face criminal charges, including fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence. The precise penalties would be determined in accordance with the applicable criminal laws at the time of the alleged breach.