STATES GRANTS (SPECIAL ASSISTANCE).
No. 68 of 1962.
An Act to grant Financial Assistance to the States of Western Australia and Tasmania.
[Assented to 24th November, 1962.]
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 1962.
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-two, 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 1961.
Advances for year 1963-64.
4. The Treasurer may, during the period of six months commencing on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-three, 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........................................... | 6,210,000 |
Tasmania................................................. | 5,041,000 |
| 11,251,000 |
Overview
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1962 was enacted to address the specific financial needs of the states of Western Australia and Tasmania by providing them with financial assistance. Assented to by the Queen on 24th November 1962, the Act was brought into operation immediately upon receiving Royal Assent. The Commonwealth of Australia, through its Parliament, appropriated funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to provide the specified grants to these states. The primary objective of the Act was to offer financial support to the states during the fiscal year beginning 1 July 1962, and to allow for possible advances during the period starting 1 July 1963, up to half of the amounts specified in the schedule. This assistance was intended to help mitigate financial shortfalls or support specific needs identified by the Commonwealth as requiring special assistance.
Scope and Application
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1962 applies specifically to the allocation of financial assistance to the States of Western Australia and Tasmania for the financial year commencing on the first day of July, 1962. The Act mandates the payment of specified sums to these states from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as detailed in the attached Schedule. This legislation provides a clear financial framework for the assistance of these states during the designated period, ensuring that the specified amounts are disbursed for the outlined purpose of financial aid. The Act also allows for the Treasurer to make advances to these states for the year 1963-64, with a limit of half the amount specified in the Schedule. The Act’s jurisdiction is limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, and it does not extend beyond the financial assistance provisions for Western Australia and Tasmania as outlined in the Act.
Key Provisions
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1962, as cited in section 1, outlines the legislative framework for the provision of financial assistance to the States of Western Australia and Tasmania. The Act becomes effective from the date it receives Royal Assent, as stated in section 2. The core provision of this Act, found in section 3, mandates the payment of specified sums to Western Australia and Tasmania for financial assistance, as outlined in the attached schedule. The amounts specified are £6,210,000 for Western Australia and £5,041,000 for Tasmania, which totals £11,251,000.
Under section 4, the Treasurer is authorised to make advances for the financial year 1963-64 to either Western Australia or Tasmania. These advances can be up to half of the amounts specified in the schedule for each state, provided they are made within the six-month period starting from 1 July 1963. The financial obligations of the Commonwealth under this Act are funded from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated for this purpose, as stated in section 5.
Breach of the provisions outlined in this Act does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or specific consequences for non-compliance within the text. However, it is implied that failure to adhere to the terms could lead to legal ramifications, including potential financial repercussions for the Commonwealth or the respective states involved. The Act, while precise in its financial provisions, does not explicitly enumerate the legal or criminal consequences for non-compliance, leaving that aspect to be interpreted within the broader legal framework of Australian law.