STATES GRANTS (UNIVERSITIES).
No. 130 of 1964.
An Act to amend the States Grants (Universities) Act 1960–1963.
[Assented to 24th November, 1964.]
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 and citation.
1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the States Grants (Universities) Act 1964.
(2.) The States Grants (Universities) Act 1960-1963 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.
(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the States Grants (Universities) Act 1960-1964.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Grants for recurrent expenditure.
3. Section five of the Principal Act is amended by inserting after sub-section (2.) the following sub-section:—
“(2a.) Where the Minister is satisfied that a State grant paid after the expiration of the year to which this Part applies related to university purposes in respect of that year, he may, in his discretion and with the approval of the State, direct that, for the purposes of this section, that grant shall be treated as having been paid during that year.”.
Variation in salary rates.
4. Section six of the Principal Act is amended by inserting after sub-section (1.) the following sub-section:—
“(2.) Notwithstanding the last preceding sub-section, the rate of basic professorial remuneration that is the approved rate, in respect of the period of six months that commenced on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-three, for the purposes of financial assistance under this Part is Four thousand six hundred pounds.”.
First Schedule.
5. The First Schedule to the Principal Act is amended by omitting Part III. and inserting in its stead the following Part:—
Part III.
Grants for the Recurrent Expenditure for the Year 1963.
First Column. | Second Column. | Third Column. | Fourth Column. | Fifth Column. |
University. | Minimum, fees and State grants. | Financial assistance under section 5(1.). | Additional fees and State grants. | Maximum additional financial assistance under section 5(2.). |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
New South Wales— | | | | |
The University of Sydney......... | 2,411,000 | 1,300,000 | 1,005,000 | 547,000 |
The University of New South Wales | 2,050,000 | 1,108,000 | 1,176,000 | 636,000 |
The University of New England..... | 714,000 | 386,000 | 334,000 | 181,000 |
Victoria— | | | | |
The University of Melbourne....... | 2,126,000 | 1,149,000 | 754,000 | 407,000 |
Monash University.............. | Nil | Nil | 1,172,000 | 633,000 |
Queensland— | | | | |
The University of Queensland....... | 1,271,000 | 692,000 | 966,000 | 517,000 |
Adelaide— | | | | |
The University of Adelaide........ | 1,152,000 | 649,000 | 729,000 | 368,000 |
The South Australian Institute of Technology | | | | |
97,000 | 53,000 | 60,000 | 32,000 |
Western Australia— | | | | |
The University of Western Australia.. | 791,000 | 449,000 | 605,000 | 306,000 |
Tasmania | | | | |
The University of Tasmania........ | 408,000 | 220,000 | 173,000 | 94,000 |
| 11,020,000 | 6,006,000 | 6,974,000 | 3,721,000 |
Overview
The States Grants (Universities) Act 1964 was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to amend the States Grants (Universities) Act 1960-1963. This Act was introduced to address the need for updated financial provisions and to provide greater flexibility in the allocation of state grants for university recurrent expenditures. The Act was assented to on 24th November, 1964, by the Queen, represented by the Governor-General, in accordance with the Australian Constitution. The policy objective of the Act is to ensure that financial assistance provided to universities is aligned with their recurrent expenditure needs and to facilitate better management of state grants related to university purposes. This Act aims to provide the necessary amendments to the existing framework to support the educational objectives and financial stability of the participating universities.
Scope and Application
The States Grants (Universities) Act 1964 amends the States Grants (Universities) Act 1960-1963, with its primary focus being on the provision of financial assistance to universities for their recurrent expenditure. The Act applies to the various state-controlled universities within Australia, providing them with grants that are to be used for their ongoing operational costs. These universities include institutions such as The University of Sydney, The University of Melbourne, and The University of Queensland, among others listed in the First Schedule of the Act. The Act operates within the Commonwealth jurisdiction, meaning it is a federal law that applies across all states and territories of Australia. The Act also provides specific financial allocations for each listed university for the year 1963, detailing the minimum fees, state grants, financial assistance, and maximum additional financial assistance. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but the detailed financial provisions suggest that only the specified universities and their outlined expenditures are covered. The Act allows for some discretion in the application of grants, particularly in relation to the timing of payments and adjustments to salary rates, subject to ministerial approval and state concurrence.
Key Provisions
The States Grants (Universities) Act 1964 amends the States Grants (Universities) Act 1960–1963, introducing several key provisions related to university funding. Section 3 of the Act allows the Minister, with the approval of the State, to treat a State grant paid after the expiration of the relevant year as having been paid during that year if the Minister is satisfied it related to university purposes for that year (Section 3(2a)). Section 4 modifies the rate of basic professorial remuneration for the six-month period starting 1 July 1963, setting it at £4,600 (Section 4(2)). These provisions are aimed at providing flexibility in the timing of payments and ensuring appropriate remuneration rates for university staff.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, primarily the Minister and the States. The Minister must exercise discretion in determining whether to treat a late grant as having been paid in the relevant year, and this decision requires State approval (Section 3(2a)). The States are expected to cooperate with the Minister in approving such treatments of grants. Additionally, the Act sets specific remuneration rates for professors, which must be adhered to in calculating financial assistance (Section 4(2)). Compliance with these provisions is necessary to ensure the correct application of grants and appropriate funding of university activities.
Breaches of the provisions outlined in the Act may result in administrative and financial consequences. While the Act does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, failure to adhere to the approved remuneration rates or the proper handling of grants could lead to disputes or financial discrepancies. Such breaches might also prompt reviews or audits by relevant authorities to ensure compliance with the Act’s stipulations. The Act’s primary focus is on providing clear guidelines and flexibility for managing university grants and remuneration, rather than imposing punitive measures for non-compliance.