Queensland Grant Act 1972

Overview

The Queensland Grant Act 1972 was enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia on 22 May 1972. This Act was introduced to address the financial needs of the State of Queensland, providing a significant grant to support the state's budget for the fiscal year starting 1 July 1971. The Act authorises the payment of Nine million dollars for that year and allows for additional payments up to Four million five hundred thousand dollars for the period commencing on 1 July 1972, to be disbursed over a six-month period. These payments are intended to provide financial assistance to Queensland and are to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.

Scope and Application

The Queensland Grant Act 1972 is a Commonwealth legislation enacted to provide financial assistance to the State of Queensland. The Act applies specifically to the State of Queensland and its government, providing a monetary grant intended to support the state’s financial needs for the fiscal year starting on the first of July, 1971, and additional payments for the fiscal year 1972-73. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this Act is limited to the Commonwealth level, with its application confined to the State of Queensland, and it does not extend to any other states or territories within Australia. The Act does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but the financial assistance is specifically designated for the stated purposes and amounts within the designated time frames. The Act also authorises the Treasurer to make payments out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, ensuring the financial support is appropriately sourced and allocated. The Act itself does not detail any subordinate instruments that might extend or restrict its application further.

Key Provisions

The Queensland Grant Act 1972 (hereafter referred to as the "Act") provides specific financial assistance to the State of Queensland. Section 1 identifies the Act by its short title, "Queensland Grant Act 1972." Section 2 stipulates that the Act comes into operation on the day it receives Royal Assent, which occurred on 22 May 1972. Section 3 mandates that a sum of Nine million dollars is payable to Queensland for the year beginning on 1 July 1971. Additionally, Section 4 allows the Treasurer to make payments not exceeding Four million five hundred thousand dollars to Queensland for the financial year 1972-73, within a six-month period starting 1 July 1972. The Act imposes obligations on the Commonwealth to provide financial assistance to Queensland as specified. The Commonwealth, through the Treasurer, is responsible for ensuring that payments are made to Queensland as per Sections 3 and 4. This includes ensuring that the necessary funds are available from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as outlined in Section 5. The payments must be made within the stipulated time frames and for the specified amounts to fulfill the obligations set out in the Act. Breach of the Act's provisions could result in administrative or financial consequences. While the Act itself does not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance, failure to meet the obligations to provide the specified financial assistance could lead to legal scrutiny or repercussions under other legislative frameworks. The Act's primary focus is on the appropriation and disbursement of funds, and thus, any failure to adhere to the terms could be subject to review under relevant financial legislation or governance guidelines. The Act does not specify maximum penalties within its text, but any breach could be addressed under broader financial oversight regulations.