Parliamentary Allowances Act 1947

Overview

The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1947 was enacted to amend the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1920–1938, adjusting the allowances provided to parliamentarians to reflect changes in economic conditions and the cost of living. The Act was assented to on 12 June 1947 and commenced on 10 July 1947. The primary purpose of this legislation was to increase the allowances for members of Parliament and the Leaders of the Opposition, ensuring that these allowances kept pace with inflation and other economic factors. This was achieved by amending specific sections of the Principal Act, increasing the base allowance from £1000 to £1500 and raising the allowances for the Leaders of Opposition from £200 and £400 to £300 and £600 respectively.

Scope and Application

The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1947 amends the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1920–1938 to adjust the financial allowances for members of the Commonwealth Parliament, including the increase of the base allowance from one thousand pounds to one thousand five hundred pounds and modifications to the allowances for the leaders of the opposition parties. This Act applies to members of the Parliament of Australia and their leaders, ensuring that the remuneration of these public officials is updated to reflect the economic conditions of the time. The Act extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia and is applicable to all members of the Parliament, irrespective of their political affiliation or the state or territory they represent. There are no explicit exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the Act, and it does not explicitly mention any subordinate instruments extending or restricting its application. This legislative amendment is designed to provide a clear framework for the financial support of parliamentary members and their leaders, ensuring that they are adequately compensated for their duties.

Key Provisions

The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1947 amends the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1920–1938, which is now referred to as the Principal Act. The amended Act is to be cited as the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1920–1947. One of the main operative sections of the Act is Section 2, which revises the amount of allowance provided to members of Parliament. Under this amendment, the allowance is increased from one thousand pounds to one thousand five hundred pounds (Section 2). Another significant change introduced by the Act is the adjustment of allowances for the Leaders of Opposition, which are now set at three hundred pounds for the Leader of the Opposition and six hundred pounds for the Leader of the Government in the Senate, as per Section 3. These new rates of allowance are to commence on the first day of July 1947 (Section 4). The Act imposes clear obligations on the parties it governs, primarily those related to the payment of allowances. The amendments specify the exact amounts that are to be paid to members of Parliament and their leaders, reflecting the legislative intent to ensure appropriate financial support for these roles. The amendments also dictate the commencement date for these new rates of allowance, which is the first day of July 1947. This date is critical as it marks the effective date from which the revised allowances will be applicable. In terms of consequences for breaches, the Act does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance within the text provided. However, as a statutory instrument, non-compliance with the allowances specified by this Act could potentially lead to legal action or administrative penalties as per the usual mechanisms of statutory enforcement in Australia. Given the formal nature of the Act and its legislative amendments, any failure to adhere to the specified allowances could be subject to scrutiny and legal remedy by the affected parties or through the relevant governmental authority.