States Grants (Special Assistance)
No. 138 of 1968
An Act to Grant Financial Assistance to the States of Western Australia and Tasmania.
[Assented to 9 December 1968]
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 1968.
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.—(1.) Subject to this section, there is payable during the year that commenced on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight, 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.
(2.) The amount payable to the State of Tasmania under the last preceding sub-section shall be reduced by the sum of any amounts paid to that State under section 4 of the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1967.
Advances for year 1969-70.
4. The Treasurer may, during the period of six months commencing on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-nine, make advances to 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....................................... | 582,000 |
Tasmania............................................. | 16,810,000 |
| 17,392,000 |
Overview
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1968 was enacted to address the specific financial needs of the states of Western Australia and Tasmania. This legislation was introduced to provide financial assistance to these states during the fiscal year beginning on 1 July 1968. Enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Act aims to allocate a specified amount of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to meet the financial requirements of these states. The policy objective of the Act is to offer targeted financial support to Western Australia and Tasmania to aid in their fiscal stability and development needs during the stated period. The Act also includes provisions for potential advances to Tasmania for the subsequent financial year, contingent on the Treasurer’s approval.
Scope and Application
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1968 provides a legislative framework for the financial assistance to be granted to the states of Western Australia and Tasmania, as specified in the Act. This Act applies specifically to the states named and provides a defined amount of financial support intended to aid in their budgetary requirements. The financial assistance is to be utilised for the purposes outlined in the Act, with payments made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund as appropriated by this Act. The Act extends its application to the Commonwealth level, applying to the federal government and its agencies in administering the financial assistance to the specified states. Notably, the Act does not extend its application to any other entities or individuals outside of the designated states, nor does it cover any other forms of assistance beyond the financial support detailed within the Act. Furthermore, the Act does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, nor does it set any thresholds other than the amounts specified in the schedule for each state. Any changes or extensions to the application of this Act, such as alterations to the amounts or conditions of the financial assistance, would require amendments to the Act itself or subordinate legislation.
Key Provisions
The primary sections of the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1968 (sections 3 and 4) outline the financial assistance to be provided to the states of Western Australia and Tasmania. Specifically, section 3(1) stipulates that the specified amounts, listed in the schedule, are payable during the financial year commencing 1 July 1968 to each state for the purpose of financial assistance. Section 3(2) further clarifies that any payments to Tasmania will be reduced by any amounts already paid to that state under the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1967. Additionally, section 4 allows for the Treasurer to make advances to Tasmania during the six months beginning 1 July 1969, up to half of the amount specified in the schedule for that state. Payments under this Act are to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as specified in section 5.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the Commonwealth Treasurer. Under section 3, the Treasurer is responsible for ensuring that the specified financial assistance is paid to the states as per the schedule. Moreover, section 4 grants the Treasurer the authority to make advances to Tasmania during the specified period, subject to the limit of half of the total amount allocated for Tasmania in the schedule. These provisions ensure that the financial assistance is delivered in a timely and structured manner, with appropriate oversight and limitations on additional disbursements.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act may lead to legal consequences. While the Act does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties, breaches of financial or administrative provisions could potentially lead to civil or administrative penalties under other applicable laws. The precise legal and financial repercussions would depend on the nature of the breach and the specific laws under which it is prosecuted. However, the Act's primary focus is on the structured and timely delivery of financial assistance to the specified states.