States Grants (Special Financial Assistance)
No. 56 of 1969
An Act to provide for the payment of certain sums to the States by way of Special Financial Assistance.
[Assented to 14 June 1969]
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 Financial Assistance) Act 1969.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Payment of financial assistance.
3. There is payable to the States, during the year that commenced on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight, for the purpose of financial assistance, the sum of Twelve million dollars, which shall be apportioned between the States in proportion to the amounts respectively payable to them during that year calculated in accordance with sub-sections (1.), (2.) and (3.) of section 5 of the States Grants Act 1965–1968.
Additional financial assistance—South Australia.
4. In addition to the sum payable to the State of South Australia under the last preceding section, there is payable to that State, during the year referred to in that section, for the purpose of financial assistance, the sum of Two million dollars.
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 Financial Assistance) Act 1969 was enacted to address a specific financial need identified for the states by providing additional financial support. The Act was introduced to offer targeted assistance to the states, supplementing the general financial aid provided under other legislation. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, the primary objective of the Act is to provide additional financial resources to the states to support their budgetary requirements and public service provisions. The Act specifies the allocation of funds to be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, ensuring that the additional financial assistance is appropriated for the stated purpose of supporting state governments in their fiscal responsibilities.
Scope and Application
The States Grants (Special Financial Assistance) Act 1969 applies to the States of Australia, providing them with financial assistance for the fiscal year beginning on the first of July, 1968. Specifically, the Act allocates a total sum of Twelve million dollars to be distributed among the States, with the apportionment determined by the amounts payable to each State under the States Grants Act 1965–1968. Additionally, the State of South Australia is entitled to an extra sum of Two million dollars. The Act mandates that the financial assistance is to be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated for this purpose. The geographic reach of the Act is limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, applying to all States within the nation. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in the Act itself, and its application is not extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The States Grants (Special Financial Assistance) Act 1969 (hereafter referred to as the Act) primarily involves the payment of certain sums to the States as financial assistance. Section 3 specifies that twelve million dollars are payable to the States for the year starting on July 1, 1968. This sum is to be distributed among the States proportionally, based on the amounts payable to them under the States Grants Act 1965-1968. Furthermore, section 4 of the Act stipulates an additional payment of two million dollars to the State of South Australia, on top of the sum mentioned in section 3.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the Commonwealth government regarding the payment of financial assistance to the States. Under section 3, the Commonwealth is required to disburse twelve million dollars to the States in accordance with the outlined proportions. Section 4 adds an additional obligation to pay two million dollars specifically to South Australia. The payments are to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as stated in section 5, which appropriates the necessary funds for these payments.
Failure to comply with the obligations set out in the Act may result in legal consequences. However, the Act itself does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or specific civil or criminal consequences for non-compliance. It is important to note that while the Act provides clear directives on the financial assistance to be provided, it does not delineate specific penalties for breaches. Therefore, any breach of the Act would likely be addressed under broader legal frameworks or other relevant legislation.