STATES GRANTS.
No. 59 of 1957.
An Act to grant Financial Assistance to the States of South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
[Assented to 20th November, 1957.]
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 1957.
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-seven, 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.
Advances for year 1958–59.
4. The Treasurer may, during the period of six months commencing on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight, pay to a State specified in the Schedule to this Act, for the purpose of financial assistance, amounts not exceeding in the whole a sum equal to one-half of the amount specified in that Schedule opposite to the name of that State.
Appropriation.
5. Payments in accordance with this Act shall be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.
THE SCHEDULE. Sections 3 and 4.
| £ |
South Australia........................................... | 5,700,000 |
Western Australia.......................................... | 10,150,000 |
Tasmania............................................... | 3,650,000 |
| 19,500,000 |
Overview
The States Grants Act 1957 was enacted to provide financial assistance to the states of South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. This Act was assented to on 20th November 1957, by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia. The primary objective of the Act was to address financial needs of these states by appropriating grants from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Act specifies that the financial assistance is payable to the states listed in the schedule, with particular amounts allocated to South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania for the year starting 1st July 1957, and further provisions for an advance payment for the year 1958-59. The enactment of this legislation aimed to ensure that the specified states receive the necessary financial support to meet their budgetary requirements.
Scope and Application
The States Grants Act 1957 is a Commonwealth legislation enacted to provide financial assistance to the States of South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. The Act applies to the specified states mentioned in its schedule and the amounts designated for each state, ensuring that these funds are directed towards financial assistance. The Act applies to the relevant states and their respective treasuries for the purpose of disbursing the specified grants. The geographic reach of this Act is limited to the states of South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania, making it a federal-level legislation with state-specific application. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds but focuses on the appropriation and disbursement of funds. The Act’s operation extends through the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as specified in section 5, and allows the Treasurer to make payments as outlined in sections 3 and 4. The Act does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments beyond what is specified within its sections and the schedule.
Key Provisions
The States Grants Act 1957 (sections 3 and 4) outlines the financial assistance to be provided to the States of South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Specifically, section 3 mandates that during the financial year commencing on 1 July 1957, specified amounts of money will be paid to each of these states. These amounts are detailed in the schedule attached to the Act, which lists £5,700,000 for South Australia, £10,150,000 for Western Australia, and £3,650,000 for Tasmania, totalling £19,500,000. Section 4 provides that during the six months beginning on 1 July 1958, the Treasurer may pay to each of these states up to half of the amounts specified for 1957, which translates to £2,850,000 for South Australia, £5,075,000 for Western Australia, and £1,825,000 for Tasmania.
The Act imposes obligations on the Commonwealth Government, particularly on the Treasurer, to make the specified payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as detailed in section 5. The payments are to be made to the states listed in the schedule and are intended solely for the purpose of financial assistance. This allocation ensures that the funds are directed specifically towards supporting the financial needs of these states.
For breaches of this Act, there are no explicit penalties or criminal consequences stated within the text. However, non-compliance with the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or failure to make the specified payments could potentially lead to legal challenges or other repercussions under the broader financial governance framework of the Commonwealth. The precise legal consequences would depend on the specific context and applicable law in the event of such a breach.