States Grants (Drought Assistance)
No. 29 of 1968
An Act to grant Financial Assistance to the States of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia in relation to Loss of Revenue due to the Effects of Drought.
[Assented to 7 June 1968]
BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—
Short title.
1. This Act may be cited as the States Grants (Drought Assistance) Act 1968.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Payment of financial assistance.
3.—(1.) There is payable during the year that commenced on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven, to the States of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, by way of financial assistance in relation to loss of revenue due to the effects of
drought, an amount of Thirteen million dollars, which shall be apportioned between them in proportion to the amounts respectively payable to them during that year under section 5 of the States Grants Act 1965-1967.
(2.) There is payable to the State of Victoria, during the year that commenced on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven, by way of financial assistance in relation to loss of revenue due to the effects of drought, an amount of One million dollars, which is in addition to any amount that is payable to that State under the last preceding sub-section.
Advances.
4. The Treasurer may make advances to a State of portions of the grant to which it appears to him the State will be entitled under this Act.
Appropriation.
5. Payments in accordance with this Act shall be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.
Overview
The States Grants (Drought Assistance) Act 1968 was enacted by the Australian Parliament to address the financial difficulties faced by the states of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia due to the adverse effects of drought during the fiscal year commencing 1 July 1967. The policy objective of this legislation was to provide financial assistance to these states to mitigate the loss of revenue resulting from drought conditions. The Act mandates the payment of thirteen million dollars to the affected states, apportioned based on their respective shares under the States Grants Act 1965-1967, with an additional one million dollars specifically allocated to Victoria. The financial support is to be disbursed from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, with provisions allowing the Treasurer to make advances to the states as needed.
Scope and Application
The States Grants (Drought Assistance) Act 1968 applies to the Commonwealth government and the states of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia. The Act provides financial assistance to these states in response to revenue losses incurred due to the effects of drought. Specifically, it allocates funds to compensate for revenue shortfalls during the financial year beginning 1 July 1967. The Act stipulates that an amount of Thirteen million dollars is to be apportioned among the four specified states based on their respective shares under the States Grants Act 1965-1967. Additionally, Victoria is granted an extra One million dollars. The geographic scope of the Act is limited to these four states, and it does not extend to other states or territories. The Act's application may be further refined through advances and appropriations, as authorised by the Treasurer, and payments are to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of the States Grants (Drought Assistance) Act 1968 are sections 3 and 4. Section 3(1) outlines that a total of thirteen million dollars is payable to New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia, collectively, for the financial year beginning 1 July 1967, to assist with revenue loss due to drought. This amount is to be distributed proportionally according to the amounts payable to each state under section 5 of the States Grants Act 1965-1967. Additionally, section 3(2) stipulates an extra one million dollars payable specifically to Victoria, on top of any amount already due under section 3(1). Section 4 allows the Treasurer to provide advances to a state, which are portions of the grants to which the state appears to be entitled under this Act.
The Act imposes certain obligations and requirements on the parties involved. The Treasurer is obligated to disburse financial assistance as specified in section 3, and may provide advances to the states as mentioned in section 4. The states receiving the grants must be prepared to use the funds to address the revenue losses caused by drought conditions. Furthermore, section 5 ensures that the payments made under this Act are sourced from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.
While the Act itself does not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance, it is implied that any failure to adhere to the provisions for the distribution and use of the grants could lead to scrutiny or legal action under other relevant legislation or common law principles. There are no maximum penalties stated in the Act; however, any breaches of financial obligations under such Acts would likely be subject to the provisions of the relevant state or federal legislation governing public funds and financial mismanagement.