PARLIAMENTARY ALLOWANCES.
No. 70 of 1964.
An Act relating to Parliamentary Allowances.
[Assented to 30th October, 1964.]
BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—
Short title and citation.
1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1964.
(2.) The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952-1959, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952-1964.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the first day of November, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-four.
Amendments of Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952-1959.
3. The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952-1959 is amended as set out in the Schedule to this Act.
THE SCHEDULE.
Section 3.
AMENDMENTS.
Provisions amended. | Amendments. |
Section 4 | .. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “Two thousand seven hundred and fifty”, insert “Three thousand five hundred” Omit from sub-section (2.) “Eight hundred”, insert “One thousand and fifty” |
Section 5 | .. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “Two thousand seven hundred and fifty”, insert “Three thousand five hundred” Omit from paragraph (a) of sub-section (2.) “Eight hundred and fifty”, insert “One thousand one hundred” Omit from paragraph (b) of sub-section (2.) “One thousand and fifty”, insert “One thousand three hundred” |
Section 6 | .. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “Two thousand two hundred and fifty”, insert “Three thousand” Omit from sub-section (2.) “Five hundred”, insert “Six hundred” Omit from sub-section (3.) “One thousand”, insert “One thousand two hundred and fifty” |
Section 7 | .. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “One thousand five hundred”, insert “Two thousand” Omit from sub-section (1.) “Three thousand two hundred and fifty”, insert “Four thousand two hundred and fifty” Omit from sub-section (2.) “Five hundred”, insert “Six hundred” Omit from sub-section (2.) “One thousand five hundred”, insert “One thousand eight hundred” |
Section 7a | .. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “Five hundred”, insert “Six hundred and fifty” Omit from sub-section (2.) “Two hundred and fifty”, insert “Three-hundred” |
Section 8 | .. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “One thousand five hundred”, insert “Two thousand” Omit from sub-section (2.) “Five hundred”, insert “Six hundred” |
Section 9 | .. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “Seven hundred and fifty”, insert “One thousand” Omit from sub-section (2.) “Two hundred and fifty”, insert “Three hundred” |
Section 10 | .. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “Four hundred”, insert “Five hundred” Omit from sub-section (2.) “Five hundred”, insert “Six hundred” Omit from sub-section (3.) “Four hundred”, insert “Five hundred” |
Overview
The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1964 was enacted to amend the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952-1959, adjusting the financial provisions for members of the Australian Parliament. This Act, assented to on 30th October 1964 and coming into operation on 1st November 1964, was passed by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia. The primary purpose of this legislation was to revise and update the allowances paid to members of Parliament, ensuring that they reflect contemporary economic conditions and the cost of living. By amending the previous Act, the 1964 legislation aimed to provide a fair and adequate compensation package for members, thereby supporting the effective functioning of the legislative branch.
Scope and Application
The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1964, as amended by the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952-1964, applies to members of the Parliament of Australia, including both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and is intended to govern the allowances and payments to which these members are entitled. The Act sets out the financial provisions for members of Parliament, including allowances for living expenses, travel, and other costs associated with their duties. The Act applies to all members of the Australian Parliament, encompassing individuals who hold office as Senators or Members of the House of Representatives. The geographic reach of the Act is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act itself does not explicitly outline exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but it does specify the amendments to existing allowances in the Schedule, thereby altering the financial entitlements for parliamentarians. The application of the Act may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, such as regulations or orders, which may provide additional detail on the administration and application of the allowances provided for in the Act.
Key Provisions
The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1964 (sections 1-3) establishes the legislative framework for allowances payable to members of the Parliament of Australia. This Act amends the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952-1959 to update the amounts of various allowances, as detailed in the Schedule. Specifically, the amendments alter several monetary figures to reflect changes in the cost of living and other factors. For instance, section 4 adjusts the annual allowance from 2,750 to 3,500, and section 5 increases the allowance from 800 to 1,050, among other modifications.
Under this Act, various obligations and requirements are imposed on the parties it governs. Parliamentarians, for instance, must adhere to the updated allowances as stipulated in the amended sections. The Act ensures that the financial support provided to members of Parliament reflects current economic conditions, thereby maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of parliamentary operations. The allowances are designed to cover certain expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
The Act also stipulates consequences for non-compliance with the provisions of the Act. While the Act does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties, breaches of the allowances as stipulated in the Act could potentially lead to legal scrutiny or investigations. The amended allowances are intended to be comprehensive and if not adhered to, could result in financial discrepancies or mismanagement of public funds, which are serious matters under Australian law. The precise legal consequences would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, potentially leading to civil or criminal proceedings as per Australian legislative and judicial practices.