Seamen's War Pensions and Allowances Act 1966

Legislation au C1966A00043 Not in force Act

Legislation content

Seamens War Pensions and Allowances

No. 43 of 1966

An Act to amend the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 19401965.

[Assented to 30 September, 1966]

BE it enacted by the Queens 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 Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1966.

(2.) The Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 19401965 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 19401966.

Commencement

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

Rates of pension on death or total incapacity.

3. Section 18 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from sub-section (4a.) the words Twenty pounds five shillings and inserting in their stead the words Forty-two dollars fifty cents”.

Regulations.

4. Section 59 of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by inserting in paragraph (g) of sub-section (1.), after the word children, the words under the age of twenty-one years; and

(b) by omitting sub-section (5.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-section:—

(5.) In this section—

children, in relation to an Australian mariner, means sons, daughters, step-sons, stepdaughters, adopted sons or adopted daughters of the mariner, and includes any ex-nuptial children of the mariner;


medical treatment means any treatment with a view to restoring a person to, or maintaining a person in, physical or mental health or alleviating suffering, and includes—

(a) any accommodation, nursing care or transport in relation to such treatment; and

(b) the supply, renewal and repair of artificial replacements and surgical and other aids and appliances..

First Schedule.

5. The First Schedule to the Principal Act is repealed and the following Schedule inserted in its stead:—

FIRST SCHEDULE.

Section 18. 

General Pension Rates—Death or Total Incapacity.

Column 1.

Column 2.

Column 3.

Column 4.

Rate of pay per day of the Australian mariner.

Rate of pension payable per fortnight to widow on death of Australian mariner.

Aggregate of rates of pensions payable per fortnight to dependants other than widow and children on death of Australian mariner.

Rate of pension payable per fortnight to Australian mariner on total incapacity.

$

$

$

$

$

 

Not exceeding 2.25............

26.00

14.00

24.00

Exceeding 2.25 but not exceeding 2.75..............

26.00

14.00

24.45

Exceeding 2.75 but not exceeding 3.50..............

26.90

14.90

25.45

Exceeding 3.50 but not exceeding 4.25..............

28.10

16.10

26.45

Exceeding 4.25 but not exceeding 5.00..............

29.30

17.30

27.35

Exceeding 5.00.............................

29.60

17.60

27.60

Amendments in relation to decimal currency.

6.—(1.) The Principal Act is amended as set out in the First Schedule to this Act.

(2.) The Second Schedule to the Principal Act is repealed and the Schedule set out in the Second Schedule to this Act inserted in its stead.

(3.) The Fifth Schedule to the Principal Act is repealed and the Schedule set out in the Third Schedule to this Act inserted in its stead.

Application of amendments.

7. In so far as an amendment made by this Act affects instalments of pensions, the amendment applies in relation to an instalment of pension falling due on the first pension pay day after the date of commencement of this Act and to all subsequent instalments.


THE SCHEDULES

——

FIRST SCHEDULE Section 6(1).

Amendments in Relation to Decimal Currency

Provisions amended

Omit—

Insert—

Section 10(2.)........

Fifty pounds

One hundred dollars

Section 18(5.)........

Four pounds one shilling

Eight dollars ten cents

Section 18(6.)........

Four pounds eighteen shillings and sixpence

Nine dollars eighty-five cents

 

Section 18(7.)........

Three pounds eighteen shillings

Seven dollars eighty cents

 

 

Two pounds fifteen shillings

Five dollars fifty cents

 

One pound seven shillings and sixpence

Two dollars seventy-five cents

 

Section 18(8.)........

Seven pounds three shillings

Fourteen dollars thirty cents

Section 24(b)(i).......

Four pounds sixteen shillings

Nine dollars sixty cents

Section 24(b)(ii)......

One pound seven shillings and sixpence

Two dollars seventy-five cents

Section 29(2.)........

Twenty-five pounds

Fifty dollars

Section 49(3.)........

Twenty-five pounds

Fifty dollars

Section 58(1.)........

Fifty pounds

One hundred dollars

Section 59(1.)(n)......

Twenty-five pounds

Fifty dollars

 

SECOND SCHEDULE Section 6 (2).

SECOND SCHEDULE.

Section 21.

Allowance for Attendant.

Column 1.

Column 2.

Description of Disability.

Allowance for Attendant.

 

$

Blind or with eyesight so defective as to have no useful sight...............

13.00

An injury affecting the cerebro-spinal system or causing incapacity similar in effect and severity 

13.00

Loss of two arms............................................

21.00

Loss of two legs and one arm....................................

13.00

Loss of one leg at the hip and of the other either at the hip or in the upper third....

13.00


THIRD SCHEDULE Section 6(3.).

“FIFTH SCHEDULE.

Section 23(2.).

Gratuities Payable to an Australian Mariner in Respect of Specified Minor War Injuries, Involving less than 20 Per Centum of Total Incapacity.

Column 1.

Column 2.

For the loss of

Amount of Gratuity.

 

 

$

1

Left thumb, terminal phalanx.................................

225.00

2.

Fingers—

 

 

Right index finger—

 

 

Whole...............................................

300.00

 

2 phalanges...........................................

250.00

 

1 phalanx.............................................

200.00

 

Tip and nail, no bone.....................................

120.00

 

Left index finger—

 

 

Whole...............................................

200.00

 

2 phalanges...........................................

160.00

 

1 phalanx.............................................

120.00

 

Tip and nail, no bone

100.00

 

Right or left middle finger—

 

 

Whole...............................................

160.00

 

2 phalanges...........................................

120.00

 

1 phalanx.............................................

100.00

 

Tip and nail, no bone.....................................

80.00

 

Right or left ring or little finger—

 

 

Whole...............................................

100.00

 

2 phalanges...........................................

80.00

 

1 phalanx.............................................

60.00

 

Tip and nail, no bone.....................................

40.00

3.

Toes (whether from left or right foot)—

 

 

Whole of great toe.......................................

200.00

 

1 joint of great toe.......................................

80.00

 

Other than great toes—

 

 

Whole of 1 toe.........................................

80.00

 

Whole of 2 toes from one foot...............................

120.00

 

Whole of 3 toes from one foot...............................

140.00

 

Whole of 4 toes from one foot...............................

200.00

 

1 joint of one toe........................................

40.00

 

1 joint from each of two toes of one foot........................

60.00

 

1 joint from each of three toes of one foot.......................

70.00

 

1 joint from each of four toes of one foot........................

80.00

4.

Ear (hearing not affected)

160.00”

 

Overview

The Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1966, enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, was introduced to amend the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1940–1965. This Act primarily aimed to update pension rates and allowances for Australian mariners and their dependants in line with the transition to decimal currency. The policy objective behind this amendment was to ensure that the financial support provided to seamen and their families remained relevant and adequate amidst the economic changes. The Act established new rates for pensions and gratuities, ensuring that the benefits reflected the new currency system. These amendments were crucial to maintaining the welfare of seamen and their families during a period of significant economic transition.

Scope and Application

The Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1966 applies to Australian mariners and their dependants, providing for war pensions and allowances in the event of death or total incapacity of the mariner. This Act amends the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1940–1965, with the amended Act to be referred to as the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1940–1966. The Act came into operation on the day it received Royal Assent. It primarily adjusts pension rates to reflect the transition to decimal currency, with specific changes to pension rates and allowances detailed in the First, Second, and Third Schedules. The amendments affect instalments of pensions from the first pension pay day after the Act's commencement. The Act applies nationally as Commonwealth legislation and extends its application through subordinate instruments such as regulations and schedules to cover various aspects of pensions and allowances, including specific definitions and rates for different circumstances.

Key Provisions

The Seamen's War Pensions and Allowances Act 1966, which amends the Seamen's War Pensions and Allowances Act 1940–1965, introduces several key changes. Section 3 updates the rates of pension payable upon the death or total incapacity of an Australian mariner, replacing the previous amount with a new rate of forty-two dollars and fifty cents. Section 4 revises the definition of "children" for the purposes of the Principal Act, clarifying that it includes any children under the age of twenty-one years and ex-nuptial children of the mariner. It also expands the definition of "medical treatment" to encompass various forms of care and aids related to health restoration or alleviation of suffering. Under the Act, parties and entities governed by it are subject to certain obligations and requirements. For instance, they must adhere to the updated pension rates and definitions as outlined in the amended sections. The Act also mandates the application of its amendments to pension instalments falling due after the Act's commencement. Furthermore, the Act specifies that the new provisions should be incorporated into the schedules, replacing the previous ones with updated rates and allowances. The Act stipulates various consequences for non-compliance. While the Act itself does not explicitly outline offences or penalties, breaches of pension regulations or failure to adhere to the updated provisions could lead to legal consequences under the broader administrative framework governing pensions. These could include financial penalties, legal action for non-compliance, or other civil or administrative measures as prescribed by relevant laws and regulations.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Veterans' Affairs
Instrument
Act
Concepts
Commencement Provisions
Regulatory Standards
Offence Provisions

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.