States Grants (Mental Health Institutions) Act 1967

Overview

The States Grants (Mental Health Institutions) Act 1967 was enacted to amend sections 5, 6 and 8 of the States Grants (Mental Health Institutions) Act 1964. The Act was introduced to address the need for financial assistance to be extended for the operation of mental health institutions in the states. It was enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia and assented to on 6 November 1967. The primary policy objective of this Act is to provide financial assistance for mental health institutions over a specified period, ensuring continued support for these critical services. The Act specifies that financial assistance will be available for the period from 1 July 1964 to 30 June 1970, with provisions for ongoing approval of expenditures to maintain the quality and availability of mental health services.

Scope and Application

The States Grants (Mental Health Institutions) Act 1967 amends sections of the States Grants (Mental Health Institutions) Act 1964 to adjust the financial assistance provided to states for mental health institutions. The Act applies to the governments of Australian states and territories that are parties to the agreement for the provision of financial assistance for mental health institutions. It specifies the periods for which financial assistance is granted, extending the end date from 30 June 1967 to 30 June 1970, and modifies the terms of assistance for periods on or after 1 July 1970. Additionally, the Act outlines the criteria for expenditure approval, stipulating that for expenditure not covered by section 6 of the Act, approval must be obtained by 30 June 1969. This Act operates within the Commonwealth framework and is applicable to all states and territories in Australia that are party to the original agreement. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds specified in the text of the Act itself, though the implementation and administration of the financial assistance may be subject to further regulation or guidelines provided by subordinate instruments or administrative decisions.

Key Provisions

The States Grants (Mental Health Institutions) Act 1967, as indicated in section 1, modifies certain sections of the States Grants (Mental Health Institutions) Act 1964. This Act, which came into operation on 1 July 1967 as per section 2, primarily extends the financial assistance period and modifies the expenditure criteria. Specifically, section 3 of the Act alters section 5 of the Principal Act by extending the period for which financial assistance is provided from 1 July 1964 to 30 June 1970, instead of the previously specified date of 30 June 1967. Similarly, section 4 amends section 6 of the Principal Act to extend the financial assistance period from 1 July 1970 onwards, again replacing the earlier date of 1 July 1967. The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties involved include ensuring that financial assistance for mental health institutions is extended for the specified period. Institutions receiving such grants must comply with the updated criteria and timelines set out in the amended sections. Notably, section 5 of the Principal Act, as amended by section 5 of the current Act, requires that any expenditure beyond what is covered under section 6 must receive approval by 30 June 1969. This approval process is crucial for the institutions to continue receiving financial support and ensures that the expenditure aligns with the legislative requirements. The Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach of its provisions within the provided text. However, the amendments and the necessity for approval by a specified date suggest that failure to comply with these requirements could potentially lead to non-approval of expenditure and thus a cessation of financial assistance. Although the Act does not detail maximum penalties, breaches of financial regulations or non-compliance with legislative requirements in other contexts typically result in civil or criminal penalties as prescribed by relevant laws and administrative procedures.