South Australia Grant (Tailem Bend to Keith Pipeline) Act 1969

Overview

The South Australia Grant (Tailem Bend to Keith Pipeline) Act 1969 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to provide financial assistance to the State of South Australia for the construction of a pipeline from Tailem Bend to Keith, along with certain associated works. This legislation addresses the gap in funding required for the substantial infrastructure project which was crucial for enhancing water supply and distribution in the region. The policy objective of this Act is to facilitate the completion of essential water infrastructure by providing two-thirds of the total costs incurred by South Australia, up to a maximum of six million dollars, thus easing the financial burden on the state and ensuring the project’s timely completion. The Act outlines provisions for the disbursement of funds, requirements for information reporting, and conditions for the repayment of overpayments, ensuring accountability and adherence to the project's scope.

Scope and Application

The South Australia Grant (Tailem Bend to Keith Pipeline) Act 1969 provides financial assistance to the State of South Australia for the construction of a pipeline from Tailem Bend to Keith, along with associated works. The Act applies to the State of South Australia and pertains specifically to the construction of the pipeline, associated infrastructure, and related land acquisition and compensation matters. The Act applies to expenditures incurred on or after 26 February 1969, with a cap of Six million dollars in total financial assistance. The Act allows for the variation of work descriptions and requires the State to provide detailed information and certificates regarding the expenditure to qualify for financial assistance. The Act also provides for advances and repayments in case of overpayments and is subject to appropriation from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Act is a Commonwealth law, thus it extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, but its application is specifically directed towards the State of South Australia for the purposes outlined in the Act.

Key Provisions

The South Australia Grant (Tailem Bend to Keith Pipeline) Act 1969 (Act) is a legislative instrument designed to provide financial assistance to the State of South Australia for the construction of a pipeline from Tailem Bend to Keith, along with associated works. This Act, which came into operation on the date of Royal Assent, grants up to two-thirds of the costs incurred by the State for specified works and tasks detailed in the Schedule (section 4). The total financial assistance provided under this Act is capped at six million dollars (section 4(2)). The Minister for the relevant portfolio has the authority to alter the description of any work listed in the Schedule, provided the State requests such a change and the Minister issues a written directive (section 5). The State must furnish certain information to the Minister regarding the design and construction of the works to be eligible for financial assistance (section 6). Specifically, the State must provide information requested by the Minister, ensure the design and construction of the works align with the purposes for which they were proposed, and, for contracts exceeding five hundred thousand dollars, obtain the Minister’s approval before incurring any expenditure (section 6(a)-(c)). Additionally, the State must submit statements of expenditure to the Treasurer, accompanied by an approved form and a certificate from the State’s Auditor-General, along with any further information required by the Treasurer (section 7). The Treasurer is empowered to make advances to the State at their discretion (section 8). Payments made to the State under this Act are contingent on the State's obligation to repay any overpayments upon demand by the Treasurer (section 9). The amounts payable to the State under this Act are sourced from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated for this purpose (section 10). Under the Act, the State of South Australia is obligated to provide the Minister with information related to the design and construction of the works for which financial assistance is sought (section 6(a)). The State must also ensure that the design and construction of the works conform to the proposed purposes (section 6(b)). For contracts exceeding five hundred thousand dollars, the State must secure the Minister's approval before proceeding with any expenditure (section 6(c)). Furthermore, the State must furnish statements of expenditure to the Treasurer, complete with an approved form and a certificate from the State's Auditor-General, and provide any additional information required by the Treasurer (section 7). The State’s entitlement to financial assistance is contingent on compliance with these information and approval requirements. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act may result in civil or criminal consequences. For instance, overpayments made to the State under the Act are subject to a condition that the State must repay any excess amounts to the Commonwealth upon demand by the Treasurer (section 9). Although the Act does not explicitly detail criminal penalties for breaches, the nature of the obligations and the potential financial repercussions suggest that serious non-compliance could lead to legal action. The specific civil or criminal consequences and maximum penalties are not explicitly stated in the Act, but they would likely be pursued in accordance with general Australian legislative practices and relevant laws.