Seamen's War Pensions and Allowances Act (No. 2) 1952

Legislation au C1952A00075 Not in force Act

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SEAMENS WAR PENSIONS AND ALLOWANCES (No. 2).

 

No. 75 of 1952.

An Act to amend the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1940-1950, as amended by the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1952.

[Assented to 1st November, 1952.]

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 (No. 2) 1952.


(2.) The Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1940-1950, as amended by the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1952, is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.) Section one of the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1952 is amended by omitting sub-section (3.).

(4.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1940-1952.

Commencement.

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

Title.

3. The title of the Principal Act is amended by omitting the words who suffer Death, Disablement, Detention or Loss as a result of the Present War, and for other purposes and inserting in their stead the words who suffered Death or Disablement as a result of the War which commenced on the third day of September, One thousand nine hundred and thirty-nine.

Definitions.

4. Section three of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting from paragraph (f) of the definition of Australian mariner in sub-section (1.) the words death, disablement, detention or loss and inserting in their stead the words death or disablement;

(b) by omitting from sub-section (1.) the definition of Deputy Commissioner for Repatriation and inserting in its stead the following definition:—

“‘Deputy Commissioner for Repatriation means a person performing the duties of a Deputy Commissioner in the Repatriation Department;;

(c) by omitting from sub-section (1.) the definition of relevant date and inserting in its stead the following definition:—

“‘relevant date means, in relation to a claim for a pension, the date on which the Australian mariner concerned—

(a) sustained the war injury; or

(b) commenced the period of detention,

to which his death or incapacity is directly attributable;;

(d) by omitting from the definition of the Commission in sub-section (1.) the words Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1920-1940 and inserting in their stead the words Repatriation Act 1920-1952; and

(e) by omitting from the definition of the present war in sub-section (1.) the words in which His Majesty is engaged and.


Rates of pension on death or total incapacity.

5. Section eighteen of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-section (5.) the words Three pounds one shilling and inserting in their stead the words Three pounds eleven shillings;

(b) by omitting from sub-section (6.) the words Four pounds four shillings and inserting in their stead the words Four pounds eighteen shillings and sixpence;

(c) by omitting from paragraph (a) of sub-section (7.) the words Two pounds four shillings (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words Two pounds thirteen shillings;

(d) by omitting from paragraph (a) of sub-section (7.) the words One pound eleven shillings and inserting in their stead the words One pound seventeen shillings;

(e) by omitting from paragraph (b) of sub-section (7.) the words One pound three shillings and inserting in their stead the words One pound seven shillings and sixpence; and

(f) by omitting from sub-section (8.) the words Four pounds and inserting in their stead the words Four pounds sixteen shillings.

Special rates of pension in certain cases.

6. Section twenty-two a of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting the words paragraph 2 of the First Schedule to the Repatriation Act 1920-1951 and inserting in their stead the words paragraph 3 of the First Schedule to the Repatriation Act 1920-1952; and

(b) by omitting the words Repatriation Act 1920-1951 (second occurring) and inserting in their stead the words Repatriation Act 1920-1952.

Limit of payments in certain cases.

7. Section twenty-four of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (b) the words Four pounds and inserting in their stead the words Four pounds sixteen shillings; and

(b) by omitting from sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (b) the words One pound three shillings and inserting in their stead the words One pound seven shillings and sixpence.


Regulations

8. Section fifty-nine of the Principal Act is amended by inserting after paragraph (f) the following paragraph:—

“(fa) grants to Australian mariners in respect of fares and travelling expenses and loss of salary or wages incurred or suffered by them in prescribed circumstances;”.

First and Second Schedules.

9. The First and Second Schedules to the Principal Act are repealed and the following Schedules inserted in their stead:—

FIRST SCHEDULE.

Section 18. 

General Pensions Rates—Death or Total Incapacity.

Column 1.

Column 2.

Column 3.

Column 4.

Rate of pay per day of the Australian mariner.

Pension payable per fortnight to widow on death of Australian mariner.

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

Pension payable per fortnight to Australian mariner upon total incapacity.

 

£

s.

d.

 

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

 

 

 

 

Not exceeding

0

19

0..

7

0

0

7

0

0

8

0

0

Exceeding

0

19

0

but not exceeding

1

0

0..

7

0

0

7

0

0

8

0

0

Exceeding

1

0

0

but not exceeding

1

2

6..

7

0

0

7

0

0

8

0

0

Exceeding

1

2

6

but not exceeding

1

7

6..

7

0

0

7

0

0

8

4

6

Exceeding

1

7

6

but not exceeding

1

15

0..

7

9

0

7

9

0

8

14

6

Exceeding

1

15

0

but not exceeding

2

2

6..

8

1

0

8

1

0

9

4

6

Exceeding

2

2

6

but not exceeding

2

10

0..

8

13

0

8

13

0

9

13

6

Exceeding

2

10

0

.......................

8

16

0

8

16

0

9

16

0

SECOND SCHEDULE.

Section 21. 

Allowance for Attendant.

Column 1.

Column 2.

Description of Disability.

Fortnightly allowance for attendant.

 

£

s.

d.

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

3

10

0

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

3

10

0

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

7

0

0

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

3

10

0

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

3

10

0

Application of amendments.

10. Pensions and allowances at the rates payable under the Principal Act, as amended by this Act, are payable from and including the second day of October, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-two.

Overview

The Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances (No. 2) Act 1952 was enacted to amend the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1940-1950 and address the need for updated provisions relating to pensions and allowances for seamen who suffered death or disability as a result of the Second World War. This Act was passed by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia and came into effect on the day it received Royal Assent. The primary objective of this Act is to revise and improve the pension rates and definitions to better support Australian mariners who were affected by the war. It also seeks to refine the eligibility criteria and provide clearer guidelines on the disbursement of pensions and allowances to ensure that the benefits are effectively administered and reach those in need.

Scope and Application

The Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances (No. 2) Act 1952 amends the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1940-1950, as previously amended, to adjust the rates of war pensions and allowances payable to Australian mariners who suffered death or disablement as a result of the Second World War. The amended Act applies to Australian mariners who sustained war injuries or disabilities during the specified war period and to their widows and other dependants. The Act extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, governing the payment of pensions and allowances across federal jurisdictions. The amended Act does not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds; however, eligibility for pensions and allowances remains contingent upon the specific conditions and circumstances outlined within the Act and its subsidiary regulations. The Act allows for further regulation concerning the specifics of pension rates, conditions of eligibility, and administrative procedures, thereby extending its application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act (No. 2) 1952 amends the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1940-1950 by modifying various provisions to refine the eligibility criteria and benefits for Australian mariners affected by war injuries. The title of the Principal Act is updated to reflect the specific war period, and the definition of key terms such as "Australian mariner" and "relevant date" is clarified. For example, the definition of "Australian mariner" now specifically refers to those who have suffered "death or disablement" due to the war, omitting "detention or loss" (Section 4(a)). Additionally, the "relevant date" is now defined as the date when the mariner sustained the war injury or began the period of detention that led to their death or incapacity (Section 4(b)). The Act imposes several obligations on relevant parties, including the modification of pension rates and the introduction of new allowances. For instance, it updates the rates of pension for death or total incapacity (Section 5), introduces special rates of pension for specific cases (Section 6), and sets limits on payments in certain circumstances (Section 7). It also amends the scope of regulations to include grants for fares, travelling expenses, and loss of salary or wages incurred by mariners under prescribed circumstances (Section 8). These changes ensure that the benefits provided are more accurately aligned with the current needs and circumstances of the affected mariners. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act can result in civil and criminal consequences. While the Act does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, the legal framework under which it operates may impose fines or other sanctions for breaches. For example, under the general principles of administrative law, non-compliance with legislative requirements can lead to administrative penalties, including financial penalties or legal action for enforcement. The exact penalties would depend on the specific breach and the applicable administrative laws in place at the time of the offence. The Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act (No. 2) 1952, therefore, represents a comprehensive update to existing legislation aimed at ensuring that Australian mariners who have suffered due to war receive appropriate and timely benefits. The Act’s amendments to pension rates, definitions, and regulatory scope are designed to provide clearer guidance and more accurate benefits to those in need.

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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.