STATES GRANTS.
No. 46 of 1955.
An Act to grant and apply out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund sums for the purpose of Financial Assistance to the States of South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
[Assented to 2nd November, 1955.]
BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, for the purpose of appropriating the grant originated in the House of Representatives, as follows:—
Short title.
1. This Act may be cited as the States Grants Act 1955.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Payment of financial assistance to States.
3. There is payable, during the year which commenced on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-five, to a State specified in the Schedule to this Act, for the purpose of financial assistance, the amount specified in that Schedule opposite to the name of that State.
Appropriation.
4. Payments in accordance with this Act shall be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.
THE SCHEDULE. Section 3.
| £ |
South Australia........................... | 5,400,000 |
Western Australia......................... | 8,900,000 |
Tasmania............................... | 4,200,000 |
| 18,500,000 |
Overview
The States Grants Act 1955 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to provide financial assistance to the states of South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. This legislation was introduced to address the financial needs of these states by allocating specific sums from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Act was assented to on 2nd November, 1955, and it came into operation on the same day, ensuring immediate effect. The financial assistance provided under this Act was intended to support the states in their budgetary requirements for the fiscal year commencing on 1st July, 1955, with detailed amounts specified in the accompanying schedule. The total grant amounted to £18,500,000, distributed among the three states as outlined.
Scope and Application
The States Grants Act 1955 applies to the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically providing financial assistance to the states of South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania for the fiscal year commencing 1 July 1955. This Act, which came into operation upon receiving the Royal Assent, is focused on the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to support the specified states. The Act mandates that the financial assistance be directed towards the states listed in the Schedule, with specific amounts allocated to South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania, totaling £18,500,000. The legislation does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond what is defined in the Schedule. The Act's application is limited to the specified states and amounts, with no indication of extension or restriction through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The States Grants Act 1955 (section 1) provides the legislative framework for the distribution of financial assistance from the Commonwealth to specified states. The act came into operation on the day it received Royal Assent (section 2), which was 2nd November, 1955. The main provision of the Act (section 3) dictates that during the financial year commencing 1st July 1955, specified sums of money are to be paid to South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania for the purpose of financial assistance. These sums are detailed in the Schedule to the Act, with South Australia receiving £5,400,000, Western Australia £8,900,000, and Tasmania £4,200,000, making a total of £18,500,000 (Schedule).
The Act obligates the Commonwealth to make the aforementioned payments out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (section 4). This means that the money for these grants is drawn from the general revenue collected by the Commonwealth government. The Schedule specifies the exact amounts to be paid to each state, ensuring a transparent and predetermined allocation of funds.
Breaching the terms of this Act could lead to legal consequences. While the Act does not explicitly outline offences or penalties, any failure to comply with the appropriation of funds or the distribution of grants could potentially result in legal action or scrutiny from the relevant authorities. The penalties, if any, would likely depend on the specific nature of the breach and could range from administrative penalties to more severe legal consequences. The maximum penalties, however, are not stated within the text of the Act itself.