States Grants (Special Assistance)
No. 72 of 1966
An Act to Grant Financial Assistance to the States of Western Australia and Tasmania.
[Assented to 29 October 1966]
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 1966.
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-six, 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 4 of the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1965.
Advances for year 1967–68.
4. The Treasurer may, during the period of six months commencing on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven, 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............................... | 19,406,000 |
Tasmania..................................... | 20,666,000 |
| 40,072,000 |
Overview
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1966 was enacted to address the specific financial needs of the States of Western Australia and Tasmania during the period of 1 July 1966. This Act was passed by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, aiming to provide financial assistance to alleviate particular economic pressures faced by these states. The Act ensures that the necessary funds are made available from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to support the specified states, thereby enabling them to manage their fiscal responsibilities more effectively. The policy objective is to offer targeted financial support to Western Australia and Tasmania, as indicated by the amounts specified in the Schedule of the Act, to aid in their economic stability and development.
Scope and Application
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1966 applies to the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically targeting the states of Western Australia and Tasmania, as outlined in the Schedule attached to the Act. The legislation was enacted to provide financial assistance to these two states during the financial year commencing on 1 July 1966. The Act mandates that a specified amount of financial aid be disbursed to each state, less any amounts already paid under the provisions of the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1965. Additionally, the Treasurer is authorised to make advances not exceeding half of the specified amount to either Western Australia or Tasmania during the six months commencing on 1 July 1967. The Act's appropriation is sourced from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is allocated accordingly. The Act does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and it does not extend its application through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1966 (sections 1–5) establishes the framework for the Commonwealth to provide financial assistance to the states of Western Australia and Tasmania. Section 1 specifies that the Act may be cited as the "States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1966." Section 2 stipulates that the Act comes into operation on the day it receives Royal Assent. The central provision of the Act, found in section 3, mandates that financial assistance be paid to the specified states for the year commencing on July 1, 1966, as detailed in the Schedule attached to the Act. Section 4 allows the Treasurer to make advances to Western Australia and Tasmania during a six-month period starting July 1, 1967, up to half of the amounts specified in the Schedule. Section 5 specifies that the payments are to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
The Act imposes certain obligations and requirements on the Commonwealth and the relevant states. The Commonwealth, through the Treasurer, must ensure that the financial assistance is paid to Western Australia and Tasmania as per the amounts specified in the Schedule, and it must do so out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Treasurer also has the authority to make advances to these states, ensuring that they have access to necessary funds during the specified period. The states of Western Australia and Tasmania must use the financial assistance for the purposes outlined in the Act, which is to provide financial support as specified.
There are no explicit provisions detailing offences, penalties, or consequences for breach within the Act. However, any failure to comply with the Act's requirements could be subject to legal scrutiny and potential consequences under general statutory interpretation and administrative law principles. The Act itself does not stipulate specific penalties, but breaches could result in legal actions or administrative measures depending on the context and the nature of the breach.