States Grants Act 1967

Overview

The States Grants Act 1967 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to amend sections 5 and 6 of the States Grants Act 1965–1966 and to provide a further grant of financial assistance to the states. The Act, which received Royal Assent on 26 April 1967, introduces modifications to the calculation of average wages for the purpose of determining state grants and specifies a new timeframe for these calculations. Additionally, it provides for a specific financial assistance grant of Five million dollars for the year commencing 1 July 1966, to be distributed among the states in proportion to their respective shares under the amended Act. The policy objective of the Act is to ensure more accurate and timely calculations in the financial assistance provided to the states, thereby supporting their fiscal needs.

Scope and Application

The States Grants Act 1967 amends sections 5 and 6 of the States Grants Act 1965–1966, primarily adjusting the calculation of average wages for the purposes of determining grants to the states. The Act applies to the states of Australia as recipients of the financial assistance granted under the legislation. The scope of the Act is confined to modifying the criteria for assessing the financial assistance to the states, specifically by altering the wage comparison period and removing certain subsections that previously regulated the grant calculations. The Act is operative on the day of its Royal Assent, ensuring immediate effect upon its enactment. Additionally, the Act provides for a further grant of financial assistance to the states for the year commencing 1 July 1966, which is to be distributed according to the revised criteria set out within the Act. The amendments extend the reach of the Principal Act by modifying its provisions to better align with the intended financial support framework for the states.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the States Grants Act 1967 (C1967A00012) include the amendment of the States Grants Act 1965–1966, now referred to as the Principal Act, and the introduction of a further grant to the states. Specifically, Section 3 of the Act amends Section 5 of the Principal Act to alter the grant eligibility criteria. It modifies the age requirement for eligibility from sixty-five to sixty-six years (Section 3(a)) and adjusts the reference period for the average wage comparison to the years ending on the thirty-first day of March in the year concerned and the year preceding it (Section 3(b)). It also removes subsection (2) and (4) from Section 5 of the Principal Act. Additionally, Section 4 of the Act amends Section 6 of the Principal Act, stipulating that the ascertainment of average wages must be completed by the thirtieth day of June in the year concerned (Section 6(b)). Section 5 of the Act provides for a further grant of Five million dollars to be distributed among the states during the year commencing on the first day of July 1966. The Act imposes specific obligations and requirements on the parties it governs. The amendments in Section 3 require the states to ensure that their wage calculations comply with the new criteria set out for the year ending on the thirty-first day of March. Furthermore, the states must complete the ascertainment of average wages by the thirtieth day of June each year, as mandated in Section 4. These obligations ensure that the states meet the updated criteria for the grants and that the process for determining eligibility and distributing funds remains efficient and timely. In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil or criminal consequences for breach. However, failure to adhere to the prescribed timelines and requirements for the ascertainment of average wages and meeting the eligibility criteria could potentially result in the states not receiving the full grant amount or facing administrative penalties as deemed appropriate by the governing authorities. The Act's primary focus appears to be on ensuring the accurate and timely distribution of grants rather than imposing punitive measures for non-compliance.