STATES GRANTS (SPECIAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE).
No. 10 of 1951.
An Act to grant and apply out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund sums for the purposes of Financial Assistance to the States.
[Assented to 29th June, 1951.]
BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, for the purpose of appropriating the grant originated in the House of Representatives, as follows:—
Short title.
- This Act may be cited as the States Grants (Special Financial Assistance) Act 1951.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Payment of financial assistance to States.
3. There shall be payable to the States, during the year which commenced on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and fifty, for the purposes of financial assistance, the sum of Fifteen million pounds.
Allocation of grant.
4. The amount payable to each State under this Act is the amount shown in the following table opposite the name of that State:—
| £ |
New South Wales............... | 6,250,000 |
Victoria..................... | 4,750,000 |
Queensland................... | 2,000,000 |
South Australia................ | 800,000 |
Western Australia............... | 1,000,000 |
Tasmania.................... | 200,000 |
| 15,000,000 |
Appropriation.
5. Payments in accordance with this Act shall be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is hereby appropriated accordingly.
Overview
The States Grants (Special Financial Assistance) Act 1951 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to provide financial assistance to the various states in the country for specific purposes. This legislation was introduced to address the need for equitable distribution of federal funds to support state-level projects and initiatives, thereby ensuring balanced development across the nation. The Act outlines the appropriation of fifteen million pounds to be distributed among the states, with specific allocations determined based on each state's needs and contributions. The policy objective is to provide necessary financial support to states, enabling them to undertake essential projects and services that benefit the broader community.
Scope and Application
The States Grants (Special Financial Assistance) Act 1951 is a Commonwealth statute that provides financial assistance to individual states within Australia for a specified period. The Act applies to the six states of Australia, each receiving a designated sum from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be used for financial assistance purposes. The Act specifies the allocation of the total grant of Fifteen million pounds to New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania, with each state receiving varying amounts as detailed in the Act. This legislation is enacted to come into immediate effect upon receiving Royal Assent and involves payments from the Commonwealth to the states, thus establishing a financial relationship governed by the terms of the Act. The Act does not extend its application beyond the allocation and appropriation of funds as outlined, and it does not provide for any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond what is specified within the Act itself.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the States Grants (Special Financial Assistance) Act 1951 (section 3) establish that during the financial year commencing on the first day of July, 1950, the Commonwealth will pay a total of Fifteen million pounds to the States for financial assistance. Section 4 further specifies the exact amount payable to each state, with New South Wales receiving 6,250,000 pounds, Victoria 4,750,000 pounds, Queensland 2,000,000 pounds, South Australia 800,000 pounds, Western Australia 1,000,000 pounds, and Tasmania 200,000 pounds, adding up to the total amount of Fifteen million pounds. Section 5 mandates that these payments will be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, effectively appropriating this fund for the purpose of this financial assistance.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the Commonwealth government to disburse the allocated funds to the respective states as outlined in section 4. The Commonwealth must ensure that each state receives the amount specified for it, with the total not exceeding Fifteen million pounds for the financial year. The Consolidated Revenue Fund serves as the source from which these payments will be made, as stipulated in section 5.
There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences for breach outlined in the Act itself. However, non-compliance with the financial obligations stipulated in the Act could potentially lead to legal challenges or financial disputes between the Commonwealth and the states. Given the nature of the Act and its focus on financial allocations, any failure to comply with the specified allocations or payment schedules could be subject to judicial review or other legal remedies available under Australian law.