States Grants (Special Assistance)
No. 116 of 1972
An Act to grant Financial Assistance to the States of Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.
[Assented to 31 October 1972]
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 1972.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Payment of financial assistance to a State.
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 seventy-two, for the purpose of financial assistance—
(a) to the State of Queensland—the sum of Ten million dollars;
(b) to the State of South Australia—the sum of Twenty-one million dollars; and
(c) to the State of Tasmania—the sum of Seven million six hundred thousand dollars.
(2.) A sum payable to the State of Queensland under the last preceding sub-section shall be reduced by the sum of any amounts paid to that State under section 4 of the Queensland Grant Act 1972.
(3.) A sum payable to the State of South Australia or to the State of Tasmania under sub-section (1.) of this section shall be reduced by the sum of any amounts paid to that State under section 4 of the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1971.
(4.) Payments for the purposes of this section shall be made in such amounts and at such times as the Treasurer determines.
Payments for year 1973–74.
4. The Treasurer may, during the period of six months commencing on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and seventy-three, make payments to a State referred to in sub-section (1.) of the last preceding section, for the purpose of financial assistance, of amounts not exceeding in the whole a sum equal to one-half of the amount specified in that sub-section in relation to that State.
Appropriation.
5. Payments in accordance with this Act shall be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.
Overview
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1972 was enacted to provide financial assistance to the states of Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania. This legislation was designed to address the specific financial needs of these states, aiming to support their budgetary requirements and developmental initiatives during a period of economic adjustment. The Act was passed by the Queen, in right of the Commonwealth of Australia, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and the House of Representatives, reflecting a coordinated effort to support state-level financial stability. By allocating funds directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the Act ensures that the necessary financial resources are made available to the specified states in a timely and efficient manner.
Scope and Application
The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1972 applies to the financial assistance granted to the States of Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania for the fiscal year commencing 1 July 1972. This Act, which came into operation on the day it received Royal Assent, mandates the payment of specific sums to each of these states, with the amounts subject to reductions based on payments already made under other related acts. The Act also allows the Treasurer to make additional payments to these states for the 1973-74 fiscal year, not exceeding half of the original amounts specified for each state. The payments are to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which has been appropriated for this purpose. The Act is limited to the geographic scope of the Commonwealth of Australia and applies specifically to the designated states, with no stated exclusions or exemptions beyond the provisions for reductions in payments as noted. The Act does not extend its application through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The primary provisions of the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1972 (sections 3 and 4) dictate the financial assistance to be provided to the States of Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania. Specifically, section 3(1) mandates the payment of $10 million to Queensland, $21 million to South Australia, and $7.6 million to Tasmania for the fiscal year beginning 1 July 1972. These payments may be adjusted if the states have already received funds under specific previous acts (sections 3(2) and 3(3)). Furthermore, section 4 allows the Treasurer to make additional payments up to half the initial amounts to these states during the six months starting 1 July 1973. Payments under this Act are to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as specified in section 5.
The Act imposes certain obligations on the Treasurer, primarily concerning the disbursement of funds. Under section 3(1), the Treasurer is required to make the specified payments to the states within the fiscal year mentioned. The Treasurer also has the discretion to make additional payments during the six-month period starting 1 July 1973, as outlined in section 4. The Treasurer must ensure that these payments are made in the amounts and at the times they determine, as per section 3(4). Additionally, the Treasurer must ensure that payments are made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated for this purpose under section 5.
There are no explicit provisions in the Act that outline offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches. However, failure to adhere to the appropriation and payment requirements could potentially lead to legal scrutiny or consequences under general financial and administrative laws. The Act itself does not specify any particular penalties or consequences for non-compliance with its provisions.