EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
ISSUED BY AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
SEAMEN’S WAR PENSIONS AND ALLOWANCES ACT 1940
SEAMEN’S WAR PENSIONS AND ALLOWANCES REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
1984 No. 294
Under section 59 of the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Act 1940, the Governor-General may make regulations, not inconsistent with the Act, prescribing all matters which by the Act are required or permitted to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to the Act.
The proposed regulations will give effect to the Government’s Budget decision to increase the rates of Clothing Allowance in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index for the period 1 July 1983 to 30 June 1984. In addition, the proposed regulations also increase the current amount payable in respect of the costs of a funeral from $500 to $550.
Regulation 1 - Funeral expenses
Regulation 38 of the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Regulations provides for the payment of a monetary grant towards the funeral expenses of an Australian mariner who has died as a result of a war injury.
Proposed regulation 1 will increase the monetary grant towards the funeral expenses of an Australian mariner from $500 to $550.
Proposed sub-regulation 3(1) establishes that the increase in the funeral benefit is to apply in respect of the death of an Australian mariner that occurs on or after 1 November 1984.
Regulation 2 - Clothing allowance
Clothing allowance is paid as an addition to disability pension. It is granted under regulation 38A of the Seamen’s War Pensions and Allowances Regulations as an allowance towards the cost of repair or replacement of clothing of Australian mariners suffering from the loss of limbs, or whose clothing suffers exceptional wear and tear or damage from the use of surgical appliances, or from an accepted disability or the treatment of that disability.
Proposed regulation 2 increases the rates specified in regulation 38A as follows:
Table to sub-regulation 38A(1) | Per Fortnight |
One leg and one arm amputated | $4.40 to $4.60 |
One leg or one arm amputated | $2.10 to $2.20 |
Both legs or both arms amputated | $2.90 to $3.00 |
One leg amputated (causing essential hip disarticulation) | $2.90 to $3.00 |
|
|
Sub-regulation 38A(2) | Per Fortnight |
Allowance for use of crutch or crutches in addition to any other artificial aid | $4.40 to $4.60 |
Sub-regulation 38A(4) | Per Annum |
Allowance in respect of exceptional wear and tear on clothing |
|
$54.60 to $57.20 |
Proposed sub-regulations 3(2) and (3) establish the date of effect of the increases. The increases in the fortnightly amounts are to have effect from 8 November 1984 and the increase in the annual rate is to apply in respect of any amount payable on or after 8 November 1984.