States Grants (Additional Assistance) Act 1958

Overview

The States Grants (Additional Assistance) Act 1958 was enacted to provide additional financial assistance to the Australian states, aiming to address fiscal imbalances and support state-level expenditures. The Act was assented to by the Queen on 12th May 1958, and it came into effect on the same day. This legislation was introduced by the Parliament of Australia to appropriate specific sums from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to various states, ensuring that each state received a designated amount to help cover their financial needs for the fiscal year beginning on the first day of July 1957. The financial support was tailored to the economic requirements of each state, as detailed in the schedule attached to the Act, which listed the specific amounts allocated to New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. The policy objective behind the Act was to provide targeted financial assistance to the states, helping to balance their budgets and enable them to carry out their respective functions effectively. The Act facilitated the disbursement of a total of £5,000,000 across the states, reflecting the Commonwealth's commitment to supporting state-level financial stability and development.

Scope and Application

The States Grants (Additional Assistance) Act 1958 applies to the six states of Australia, specifically New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. The Act provides for the payment of additional financial assistance to each of these states from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Commonwealth. The payments are intended to support the financial needs of these states as specified in the schedule attached to the Act. The Act came into operation immediately upon receiving the Royal Assent, which was on the 12th of May, 1958. The amount of assistance payable to each state is detailed in the attached schedule. While the Act does not explicitly mention exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, its application is limited to the financial year starting on the first day of July 1957. The Act itself does not extend its application through subordinate instruments, as its provisions are clear and specific regarding the allocation of funds.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the States Grants (Additional Assistance) Act 1958 are Sections 3 and 4. Section 3 specifies the amounts of financial assistance payable to each state, while Section 4 details the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to make these payments. For example, New South Wales is to receive £1,989,171 and Victoria £1,061,169, with the amounts allocated to each state listed in the Schedule to the Act. Section 4 ensures that these payments are made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated for this purpose. The Act imposes specific obligations on the Commonwealth government to make the specified payments to each state for the purpose of financial assistance. The amounts payable are clearly defined in the Schedule, with each state listed alongside its allocated amount. The Commonwealth must ensure that these payments are made within the fiscal year that began on 1 July 1957, as outlined in Section 3. The appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as specified in Section 4, is also a key obligation, ensuring that the financial resources are available and correctly allocated for these grants. The Act does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with its provisions. However, failure to comply with the appropriations and payment requirements could lead to legal scrutiny and potential financial implications for the Commonwealth government. Although the Act itself does not prescribe specific penalties, any breach of these financial obligations could be subject to broader legal and financial consequences under other legislation or administrative processes. The Act's primary focus is on the clear allocation and payment of funds, with an implicit expectation that these obligations will be met to ensure the intended financial assistance is delivered to the states.