States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1975

Overview

The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1975 was enacted to provide financial assistance to Queensland and South Australia, addressing the need for equitable distribution of federal funds to support states facing particular economic challenges. This Act was passed by the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of Australia. Its primary policy objective is to alleviate financial disparities between states by offering targeted grants. The financial assistance provided under this Act is aimed at supporting the economic stability and development of Queensland and South Australia, ensuring they have the necessary resources to maintain essential services and foster growth. The Act outlines the amounts to be paid and specifies that these payments are to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, ensuring a formal appropriation for these grants.

Scope and Application

The States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1975 is enacted to provide financial assistance to the states of Queensland and South Australia. This Act applies to the specified states and pertains to financial aid intended to support their budgetary needs. The geographic reach of the Act is limited to the Commonwealth level, as it involves financial support from the national government to the states. The Act specifies the exact amounts of financial assistance to be granted to Queensland and South Australia for the year starting on 1 July 1975, and it also allows for additional payments to Queensland for the year 1976-77, up to a certain limit. The payments are to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as appropriated. Any payments already made to these states under the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1974 will be deducted from the amount payable under this Act. The Treasurer has the authority to approve the amounts and timing of these payments, thereby extending or restricting the application of the Act through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1975 establish the financial assistance to be provided to Queensland and South Australia. Section 3 outlines that, subject to the provisions of the Act, there is payable during the financial year commencing 1 July 1975, a sum of $36,300,000 to Queensland and $2,500,000 to South Australia for the purpose of financial assistance. This amount is to be reduced by any sums paid to those states under section 4 of the States Grants (Special Assistance) Act 1974. Section 4 further specifies that the Treasurer may, during the six months commencing on 1 July 1976, make additional payments to Queensland, for the purposes of financial assistance, up to an aggregate amount of $18,150,000. The Act imposes specific obligations and requirements on the Treasurer. Section 3(3) mandates that payments made under this Act must be made in such amounts and at such times as the Treasurer approves. Additionally, Section 5 requires that payments in accordance with the Act must be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly. The Act does not explicitly detail any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches within the provided sections. However, failure to comply with the specified payment procedures and appropriation requirements could potentially lead to legal scrutiny or consequences under broader financial administration laws, although these are not detailed within the scope of the Act itself.