States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Amendment Act 1999
No. 150, 1999
States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Amendment Act 1999
No. 150, 1999
An Act to amend the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 1996, and for related purposes
Contents
1 Short title...................................
2 Commencement...............................
3 Schedule(s)..................................
Schedule 1—Amendment of the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 1996
States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Amendment Act 1999
No. 150, 1999
An Act to amend the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 1996, and for related purposes
[Assented to 11 November 1999]
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Amendment Act 1999.
2 Commencement
This Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
3 Schedule(s)
Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.
Schedule 1—Amendment of the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 1996
1 Part 7 (heading)
Repeal the heading, substitute:
Part 7—Grants to foster literacy and numeracy
2 Schedule 4 (table item dealing with program year 2000, column 2)
Repeal the cell, substitute:
3 Schedule 4 (table item dealing with program year 2001, column 2)
Repeal the cell, substitute:
4 Schedule 4 (table item dealing with program year 2002, column 2)
Repeal the cell, substitute:
5 Schedule 4 (table item dealing with program year 2003, column 2)
Repeal the cell, substitute:
6 Schedule 5 (column 4 of the table)
Repeal the cell, substitute:
7 Schedule 6 (heading)
Repeal the heading, substitute:
Schedule 6—Grants to foster literacy and numeracy
8 Schedule 6 (table heading)
After “literacy”, insert “and numeracy”.
9 Schedule 6 (table item dealing with program year 2000, column 2)
Repeal the cell, substitute:
10 Schedule 6 (table item dealing with program year 2000, column 3)
Repeal the cell, substitute:
11 Schedule 6 table item dealing with program year 2000, column 4)
Repeal the cell, substitute:
12 Schedule 7 (column 4 of the table)
Repeal the cell, substitute:
[Minister’s second reading speech made in—
House of Representatives on 30 June 1999
Senate on 22 September 1999]
Overview
The States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Amendment Act 1999 (No. 150) was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to amend the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 1996. This Act aimed to address the need for increased funding and support specifically targeted at enhancing literacy and numeracy outcomes within the primary and secondary education sectors across Australia. The policy objective behind this legislation was to ensure that more financial resources were allocated towards fostering these critical educational skills, which are foundational for student success and future employability. The Act commenced on the day it received Royal Assent, which was 11 November 1999, and it primarily involved amending specific schedules to reflect the new focus on literacy and numeracy grants.
Scope and Application
The States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Amendment Act 1999 amends the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 1996, providing changes to the grants structure aimed at fostering literacy and numeracy in primary and secondary education. The Act applies to the Commonwealth of Australia and its states and territories, focusing on the allocation and distribution of grants to support educational initiatives. It modifies specific financial allocations outlined in the original Act, specifically increasing funding for literacy and numeracy programs over the program years 2000 to 2003. The Act does not specify exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but rather focuses on the adjustment of financial provisions to enhance educational outcomes. The changes are enacted through amendments detailed in the Schedule to the Act, which directly modifies the original legislation's schedules to reflect the updated funding allocations.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Amendment Act 1999 (Act) are found in Schedule 1, which amends the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 1996 (1996 Act). The key amendments include the substitution of the heading for Part 7 from "Part 7—General" to "Part 7—Grants to foster literacy and numeracy" (Schedule 1, item 1). Additionally, the Act adjusts the financial allocations in Schedule 4 and Schedule 6, specifically increasing funding for literacy and numeracy programs in primary and secondary education (Schedule 1, items 3 to 7 and items 9 to 12).
Under the amended Act, the Commonwealth is required to provide specific grants to assist states and territories in delivering literacy and numeracy programs in primary and secondary education. The financial adjustments in Schedule 4 and Schedule 6 indicate a commitment to increasing funding levels for these programs over several years. The modifications to the headings and financial allocations reflect a policy shift towards enhancing educational outcomes by focusing on literacy and numeracy.
The Act imposes obligations on the Commonwealth to ensure that the specified grants are provided as per the amended financial allocations. The states and territories, in turn, must use these grants in accordance with the purposes outlined in Part 7, specifically for initiatives that foster literacy and numeracy in primary and secondary education. The obligation to use the funds for their intended purpose is paramount, and failure to comply could result in the need for additional legislative measures to address non-compliance.
The Act does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or consequences for breach within its text. However, any breaches of the obligations under the amended 1996 Act, such as misusing the grants for purposes other than fostering literacy and numeracy, could potentially lead to legal consequences under the original 1996 Act or other relevant legislation. The penalties for such breaches would typically depend on the specific provisions of the 1996 Act and could range from financial penalties to more severe legal actions. It is essential for entities governed by the Act to adhere strictly to the terms and conditions set forth to avoid any potential repercussions.