Parliamentary Allowances
No. 101 of 1968
An Act relating to Parliamentary Allowances.
[Assented to 29 November 1968]
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 1968.
(2.) The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952–1966, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952–1968.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the first day of December, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight.
Allowances to President, Speaker and Chairmen of Committees.
3. Section 6 of the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952-1966 is amended by omitting sub-sections (4.) and (5.) and inserting in their stead the following sub-sections:—
“(4.) The allowances to a President of the Senate or to a Chairman of Committees of the Senate who is re-elected at an election of the Senate shall be reckoned to and including the day next before the day on which his successor as President or Chairman, as the case may be, is chosen.
“(5.) The allowances to a Speaker of the House of Representatives or to a Chairman of Committees of that House who is re-elected at a general
election of that House shall be reckoned to and including the day next before the day on which his successor as Speaker or Chairman, as the case may be, is chosen.”.
Amendments of Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952–1966.
4. The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952–1966 is amended as set out in the Schedule to this Act.
5. After section 8 of the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952–1966 the following section is inserted:—
Allowance to leader of second non-Government party in Senate.
“8a. There is payable to the leader in the Senate of the second non-Government recognized political party in the Senate an allowance at the rate of One thousand dollars a year, and a further allowance, in respect of the expenses of discharging the duties of his office, at the rate of Five hundred dollars a year.”.
THE SCHEDULE
——
AMENDMENTS Section 4.
Provisions amended | Amendments |
Section 4................. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “Seven thousand”, insert “Nine thousand five hundred” |
| Omit from sub-section (2.) “Two thousand one hundred”, insert “Two thousand six hundred and fifty” |
Section 5................. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “Seven thousand”, insert “Nine thousand five hundred” |
| Omit from paragraph (a) of sub-section (2.) “Two thousand two hundred”, insert “Two thousand seven hundred and fifty” |
| Omit from paragraph (b) of sub-section (2.) “Two thousand six hundred”, insert “Three thousand three hundred and fifty” |
Section 6................. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “Six thousand”, insert “Seven thousand five hundred” |
| Omit from sub-section (2.) “One thousand two hundred”, insert “Four thousand” |
| Omit from sub-section (3.) “Two thousand five hundred”, insert “Three thousand one hundred and twenty-five” |
Section 7................. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “Four thousand”, insert “Five thousand” |
| Omit from sub-section (1.) “Eight thousand five hundred”, insert “Ten thousand five hundred” |
| Omit from sub-section (2.) “One thousand two hundred”, insert “One thousand five hundred” |
| Omit from sub-section (2.) “Three thousand six hundred”, insert “Four thousand six hundred” |
Section 7a................. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “One thousand three hundred”, insert “One thousand six hundred and twenty-five” |
| Omit from sub-section (2.) “Six hundred”, insert “Seven hundred and fifty” |
Section 8................. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “Four thousand”, insert “Five thousand” |
| Omit from sub-section (2.) “One thousand two hundred”, insert “One thousand five hundred” |
Section 9................. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “Two thousand”, insert “Two thousand five hundred” |
| Omit from sub-section (2.) “Six hundred”, insert “Seven hundred and fifty” |
Section 10................. | Omit from sub-section (1.) “One thousand”, insert “One thousand two hundred and fifty” |
| Omit from sub-section (2.) “One thousand two hundred”, insert “One thousand five hundred” |
| Omit from sub-section (3.) “One thousand”, insert “One thousand two hundred and fifty” |
Overview
The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1968 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for updated allowances for members of the Parliament, including the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chairmen of Committees. This legislation amended the existing Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952–1966 by adjusting various allowances to reflect changes in circumstances and the cost of living. The policy objective of the Act was to ensure that parliamentary allowances remained fair and adequate to support members in carrying out their duties.
This Act introduced amendments to several sections of the previous Act, including changes to the allowances for the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and other parliamentary officials. Additionally, the Act included a new provision for an allowance to the leader of the second non-Government party in the Senate, recognising the role and responsibilities of such a position. The amendments detailed in the Schedule updated the monetary values of various allowances to better reflect contemporary financial needs.
Scope and Application
The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1968 governs the allowances provided to certain parliamentary officers and members, specifically targeting the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chairmen of Committees within these respective parliamentary bodies. The Act also extends to the leader of the second non-Government recognised political party in the Senate, who is entitled to an allowance of One thousand dollars a year, alongside a further allowance of Five hundred dollars a year for expenses incurred in discharging the duties of the office. This Act applies to individuals holding these specific positions within the Commonwealth of Australia. It does not extend to other parliamentary officers or members who do not hold these particular roles. The Act provides for amendments to the previous Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952–1966, which it supersedes, and introduces new provisions concerning the allowances for these positions. The Act’s application is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia and does not extend to state or territory parliaments.
The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1968 can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, although the text provided does not detail such provisions. The Act does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, other than those naturally implied by the specific roles to which it applies. The allowances are designed to support the individuals in their official capacities, ensuring they can adequately fulfil their duties without undue financial burden. The Act’s amendments and provisions focus on adjusting the financial support provided to these parliamentary officers, reflecting the evolving nature of their roles and responsibilities within the parliamentary framework.
Key Provisions
The Parliamentary Allowances Act 1968 makes amendments to the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952-1966. Key sections include the amendment to the allowances for the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chairmen of Committees of both the Senate and the House of Representatives (Section 3). This section specifies that these allowances continue until the day before their successors are chosen. Additionally, it introduces an allowance for the leader of the second non-Government party in the Senate (Section 5). This allowance comprises an annual payment of One thousand dollars and an additional allowance of Five hundred dollars for expenses related to the duties of the office.
The Act imposes obligations on the relevant parties, including the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chairmen of Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, to ensure they adhere to the new allowances structure outlined in the Act. The leader of the second non-Government party in the Senate is also required to meet the criteria for receiving the specified allowances. The amendments in the Schedule (Section 4) further detail the updated amounts for various allowances, impacting several sections of the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952-1966.
The Act does not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with the allowances provisions. However, it is implied that failure to adhere to the stipulated allowances and payments could result in legal consequences, such as disputes over the validity of the allowances and potential financial implications for the parties involved. The precise legal repercussions would depend on the interpretation and enforcement by relevant authorities or through judicial proceedings.