STATES GRANTS (SPECIAL ASSISTANCE).
No. 98 of 1964.
An Act to grant Financial Assistance to the States of Western Australia and Tasmania.
[Assented to 18th November, 1964.]
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 1964.
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-four, 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 1963.
Advances for year 1965-66.
4. The Treasurer may, during the period of six months commencing on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-five, 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............................................. | 8,560,000 |
Tasmania.................................................. | 7,300,000 |
| 15,860,000 |
Overview
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1964 was enacted to address the specific financial needs of the states of Western Australia and Tasmania during a period of economic difficulty. This Act was introduced by the Commonwealth Parliament to provide targeted financial assistance to these states. The policy objective of the Act was to support the economic stability and public services of the two states by providing a financial grant from the Commonwealth. This financial assistance was intended to help alleviate the economic pressures faced by Western Australia and Tasmania, allowing them to maintain essential services and infrastructure.
The Act specified the amount of financial assistance to be granted to each state, with a total of £15,860,000 allocated for the year commencing 1 July 1964. Additionally, the Treasurer was authorised to make advances to these states during the period starting 1 July 1965, up to half the amount specified for the year. Payments under this Act were to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, ensuring that the necessary funds were appropriated for this purpose.
Scope and Application
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1964 provides financial assistance to the states of Western Australia and Tasmania, as specified in the attached schedule, for the financial year commencing 1 July 1964. This Act applies to the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically to the Treasurer who is authorised to make advances to the specified states for the purpose of financial assistance. The Act outlines the exact amounts of financial assistance to be provided to Western Australia and Tasmania, and stipulates that payments made under the Act are to be drawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Act also allows the Treasurer to make advances to the specified states for the year 1965-66, provided these advances do not exceed one-half of the amounts specified in the schedule. The Act does not provide for any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds and extends its application through the appropriation of funds as specified.
The scope of this Act is limited to the financial assistance to Western Australia and Tasmania for the stated financial year, with no additional provisions for other states, entities, industries, or conduct. The Act is geographically and jurisdictionally confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, and its application is not extended or restricted through any subordinate instruments. The Act is solely concerned with the specified financial assistance to the two states and does not address any other matters.
Key Provisions
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1964 (section 1) is a concise piece of legislation that provides financial assistance to the states of Western Australia and Tasmania. The Act was assented to on 18th November 1964 and came into operation on the same day (section 2). The core provision of the Act is the financial assistance granted to Western Australia and Tasmania, with the amounts specified in the attached Schedule (section 3). The amounts are £8,560,000 for Western Australia and £7,300,000 for Tasmania, totalling £15,860,000.
Under section 4 of the Act, the Treasurer is authorised to make advances to Western Australia and Tasmania during the six months commencing 1st July 1965. These advances may not exceed one-half of the amounts specified in the Schedule for each state. This provision allows the Treasurer to provide interim financial assistance before the full amounts are paid under section 3.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the Commonwealth government, primarily through the Treasurer. The Treasurer must ensure that the financial assistance is paid to Western Australia and Tasmania as specified in the Schedule (section 3). Additionally, the Treasurer must make any necessary advances to the states within the six-month period commencing on 1st July 1965 (section 4). These obligations are to be funded from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly (section 5).
The Act does not explicitly outline any offences, penalties, or consequences for breach. However, the failure to comply with the financial obligations outlined in the Act could potentially result in legal consequences, such as the states of Western Australia and Tasmania pursuing legal action for non-receipt of the specified amounts. The Act's primary focus is on the provision of financial assistance, and thus, the legal implications of non-compliance are not explicitly stated within the text.