STATES GRANTS (SPECIAL ASSISTANCE).
No. 76 of 1963.
An Act to grant Financial Assistance to the States of Western Australia and Tasmania.
[Assented to 31st October, 1963.]
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 (Special Assistance) Act 1963.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Payment of financial assistance to Western Australia and Tasmania.
3. There is payable, during the year that commenced on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-three, 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 1962.
Advances for year 1964-65.
4. The Treasurer may, during the period of six months commencing on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-four, 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................................................ | 6,072,000 |
Tasmania..................................................... | 5,378,000 |
| 11,450,000 |
Overview
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1963 was enacted to provide financial assistance to the states of Western Australia and Tasmania. The Act was assented to on 31 October 1963 and was introduced by the Parliament of Australia to address a specific financial need identified in these two states. The overarching policy objective of the Act was to offer targeted financial support to assist the states in managing their fiscal responsibilities and addressing specific economic challenges. This assistance was crucial for ensuring the stability and ongoing development of these states during the period in question. Payments under the Act were to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, reflecting the Commonwealth's commitment to supporting state-level economic stability.
Scope and Application
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1963 applies to the states of Western Australia and Tasmania, providing them with financial assistance during the fiscal year commencing on the first day of July 1963. This assistance is to be used for general state purposes, and the amounts specified in the schedule of the Act are payable to each state less any amounts previously paid under the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1962. Additionally, the Act allows for the Treasurer to make advances to these states for the year 1964-65, provided these advances do not exceed half of the specified amounts. The Act mandates that all payments made under its authority are to be sourced from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which has been appropriately appropriated to cover these disbursements. The Act does not explicitly mention exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds other than those specified for the payment amounts and the timeframe for making advances.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1963 (section 1) establish the purpose and scope of the Act, which is to provide financial assistance to the states of Western Australia and Tasmania. Section 2 details the commencement of the Act, which occurs on the day it receives Royal Assent. Section 3 outlines the specific financial assistance to be paid to Western Australia and Tasmania for the year commencing on 1 July 1963, as detailed in the Schedule. Section 4 permits the Treasurer to make advances for the year 1964-65 to either state, up to half the specified amount in the Schedule.
The Act imposes obligations on the Treasurer, requiring them to make payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund as per Section 5. The Treasurer must ensure that the specified amounts are paid to Western Australia and Tasmania, as detailed in Section 3, and that any advances made to either state during the period from 1 July 1964 to 31 December 1964, do not exceed half of the specified amounts in the Schedule, as per Section 4. The Schedule, which is integral to the Act, lists the exact financial assistance amounts for each state.
The Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach within its text. However, non-compliance with the statutory requirements, such as failure to make payments or making unauthorised advances, could potentially lead to legal repercussions under broader financial administration and accountability frameworks. While maximum penalties are not stated in the Act, breaches of such financial provisions could attract significant consequences under general administrative law or related financial legislation.