STATES GRANTS (SPECIAL ASSISTANCE).
No. 60 of 1960.
An Act to grant Financial Assistance to the States of Western Australia and Tasmania.
[Assented to 25th November, 1960.]
BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, for the purpose of appropriating the grant originated in the House of Representatives, as follows:—
Short title.
1. This Act may be cited as the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1960.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Payment of financial assistance to States.
3. There is payable, during the year that commenced on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty, to a State specified in the Schedule to this Act, for the purpose of financial assistance, the amount specified in that Schedule opposite to the name of that State less any amounts paid to that State in pursuance of section four of the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1959.
Advances for year 1961-62.
4. The Treasurer may, during the period of six months commencing on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-one, make advances to the State of Western Australia or the State of Tasmania, for the purpose of financial assistance, of amounts not exceeding in the whole a sum equal to one-half of the amount specified in the Schedule to this Act opposite to the name of that State.
Appropriation.
5. Payments in accordance with this Act shall be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.
THE SCHEDULE. Section 3.
—
| £ |
Western Australia................................ | 4,309,000 |
Tasmania..................................... | 4,309,000 |
| 8,618,000 |
Overview
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1960 was enacted by the Queen, in right of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Parliament of the Commonwealth, and the Senate and House of Representatives, to address the financial needs of Western Australia and Tasmania. This Act was introduced to provide financial assistance to these states in order to support their economic stability and public service delivery. The Act authorises the payment of a specified amount to each state from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the financial year starting on the 1st of July, 1960, with additional provisions for advances during the period of six months from the 1st of July, 1961, up to a limit of half the amount specified for the 1960-61 financial year. This legislative intervention was critical in ensuring that the states could maintain essential services and address budgetary shortfalls during this period.
Scope and Application
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1960 provides financial assistance to the States of Western Australia and Tasmania, as specified in the Act. This legislation applies directly to the named states, providing a monetary grant intended to assist them during the specified fiscal year starting 1 July 1960. The application of this Act is limited to the geographic boundaries of the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically targeting the states mentioned in the Schedule. The Act also allows for advances to be made to these states for the year 1961-62, up to half the amount of the grant specified for 1960, subject to the conditions set forth. The Act does not specify exclusions or exemptions but does limit the scope of the financial assistance to the states listed. Payments made under this Act are appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Act does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The main sections of the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1960 detail the provision of financial assistance to the States of Western Australia and Tasmania. Section 3 specifies that financial assistance in the amount of £4,309,000 is payable to each of these states for the year commencing on 1 July 1960, less any amounts already paid to them under the provisions of the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1959. Section 4 authorises the Treasurer to make advances for the year 1961-62 to these states, with the total amount not exceeding half of the specified amount, which is £4,309,000 for each state. Section 5 appropriates the Consolidated Revenue Fund for making payments in accordance with the Act.
The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties involved. The Treasurer is mandated to ensure that payments are made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as appropriated in Section 5. The Treasurer also has the authority to make advances as specified in Section 4, provided the total amount does not exceed the limits set out in the Act. Additionally, the Act requires that any payments made to the states be made in accordance with the specified amounts and timelines, as outlined in Sections 3 and 4.
Breach of the provisions of this Act may result in various consequences. While the Act does not explicitly detail specific offences or penalties for non-compliance, the failure to adhere to the prescribed payment schedules or misuse of appropriated funds could potentially lead to legal ramifications under other applicable legislation. It is important for the parties involved to comply strictly with the financial and administrative requirements stipulated to avoid any inadvertent breaches that could result in civil or criminal penalties, though the maximum penalties are not explicitly stated in this Act.