QUEENSLAND GRANT (SPECIAL ASSISTANCE) ACT 1977
No. 138 of 1977
An Act to grant financial assistance to Queensland.
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen, and the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:
Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the Queensland Grant (Special Assistance) Act 1977.
Commencement
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Payment of financial assistance
3. (1) Subject to this section, there is payable to Queensland during the year that commenced on 1 July 1977, for the purpose of financial assistance, the sum of $24,800,000.
(2) The sum payable to Queensland referred to in sub-section (1) shall be reduced by the sum of any amounts paid to that State under section 4 of the Queensland Grant (Special Assistance) Act 1976.
(3) Payments for the purposes of sub-section (1) shall be made in such amounts and at such times as the Treasurer approves.
Payments for the year 1978-79
4. The Treasurer may, during the period of 6 months commencing on 1 July 1978, make payments to Queensland, for the purposes of financial assistance, of amounts not exceeding in the aggregate $12,400,000.
Appropriation
5. Payments in accordance with this Act shall be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund which is appropriated accordingly.
Overview
The Queensland Grant (Special Assistance) Act 1977 was enacted to address the specific financial needs of Queensland during a period of economic hardship. Passed by the Parliament of Australia, the Act aimed to provide targeted financial assistance to Queensland, reflecting a policy objective to support state economies in times of financial difficulty. The Act grants a substantial sum of $24,800,000 for the fiscal year starting 1 July 1977, with the possibility of further payments up to $12,400,000 for the subsequent fiscal year, contingent upon approval by the Treasurer. These funds are intended to be disbursed from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, ensuring that the financial support is effectively managed and appropriately appropriated for the intended purpose of alleviating economic strain on the state.
Scope and Application
The Queensland Grant (Special Assistance) Act 1977 applies specifically to the Commonwealth of Australia, providing a financial assistance grant to the state of Queensland. This Act, which came into effect on the day it received Royal Assent, authorises the Treasurer to disburse a specified sum of $24,800,000 for the financial year starting 1 July 1977, with any reductions made for amounts already paid under the Queensland Grant (Special Assistance) Act 1976. Additionally, the Act allows for further payments of up to $12,400,000 for the year commencing 1 July 1978, with these payments also subject to approval by the Treasurer and made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Act does not detail any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and its application is confined to the financial support of Queensland within the Australian Commonwealth framework.
Key Provisions
The Queensland Grant (Special Assistance) Act 1977 provides for financial assistance to the state of Queensland. Section 3(1) states that there is payable to Queensland a sum of $24,800,000 for the year commencing on 1 July 1977, subject to the provisions of the Act. This payment is intended to provide financial assistance to Queensland. Importantly, Section 3(2) stipulates that this payment amount is reduced by any sums already paid to Queensland under Section 4 of the Queensland Grant (Special Assistance) Act 1976. Finally, Section 3(3) grants the Treasurer the authority to approve the amounts and timing of the payments made under this section.
The Act imposes certain obligations on the parties involved. The primary obligation is on the Commonwealth, through the Treasurer, to make the specified payments to Queensland. Section 5 mandates that these payments are to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated for this purpose. This ensures that the financial resources are sourced appropriately and legally for the intended assistance.
Breach of the Act's provisions could result in various consequences. However, the Act itself does not explicitly state any specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance. The primary focus of the Act is on the financial assistance and the obligations of the Commonwealth to make the specified payments. Therefore, while the Act sets out clear financial obligations, it does not detail potential penalties for failing to adhere to these obligations.