Tasmania Grant (Fire Relief)
No. 31 of 1967
An Act to make provision for the grant of Financial Assistance to the State of Tasmania in relation to the Alleviation of the effects of certain Fires.
[Assented to 23 May 1967]
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 Tasmania Grant (Fire Relief) Act 1967.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Interpretation.
3.—(1.) In this Act—
“the fires” means the fires that occurred in the southern portion of the State in the period that commenced on the seventh day of February, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven, and ended on the third day of March, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven;
“the State” means the State of Tasmania.
(2.) A reference in this Act to the cost to the State of measures taken for the purpose of alleviating the effects of the fires includes a reference to the amounts of loans made for that purpose by the State or out of moneys provided by the State.
Financial assistance.
4.—(1.) The Treasurer may, at any time before the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-nine, authorize the payment to the State, by way of financial assistance, of amounts not exceeding in the
aggregate so much of the cost to the State of measures taken for the purpose of alleviating the effects of the fires as does not exceed the moneys appropriated by this Act or any other Act for the purpose of payments under this Act.
(2.) The amount of Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars paid by the Commonwealth to the State, in relation to the fires, before the commencement of this Act shall, for the purpose of this Act, be deemed to have been paid under this Act.
Appropriation.
5. The Consolidated Revenue Fund is appropriated, to the extent of Fourteen million five hundred thousand dollars for the purpose of payments, including advances, under this Act.
Conditions.
6.—(1.) Payment of an amount (including an advance) to the State under this Act is subject to such conditions, if any, as the Treasurer determines.
(2.) The conditions that may be determined by the Treasurer under the last preceding sub-section may include a condition as to repayment of the whole or part of the amount.
Advances.
7. The Treasurer may, at such times as he thinks fit, out of moneys lawfully available, make advances to the State of such amounts as he thinks fit on account of an amount that may become payable under this Act.
Overview
The Tasmania Grant (Fire Relief) Act 1967 was enacted to provide financial assistance to the State of Tasmania to alleviate the effects of certain fires that occurred in the southern part of the state between 7 February and 3 March 1967. This Act was enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia. The primary policy objective was to support Tasmania in managing the aftermath of these devastating fires through financial aid, ensuring that the state could effectively address the immediate needs arising from the disaster.
Under this Act, the Treasurer was authorised to pay financial assistance to Tasmania up until 30 June 1969, covering a portion of the costs incurred by the state in measures to mitigate the fire effects, subject to the appropriation of funds. The Act appropriated $14,500,000 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for this purpose, and any payment to Tasmania could include conditions set by the Treasurer, potentially involving repayment terms. Additionally, the Treasurer was empowered to make advances to Tasmania from available funds to cover anticipated payments under the Act.
Scope and Application
The Tasmania Grant (Fire Relief) Act 1967 applies specifically to the State of Tasmania and pertains to financial assistance provided by the Commonwealth in response to the devastating bushfires that occurred in the southern part of the state between 7 February and 3 March 1967. This Act authorises the Treasurer to grant financial aid to Tasmania to alleviate the effects of these fires, with the total amount of assistance not exceeding the appropriated funds, which are specified in the Act and any other relevant legislation. The Act outlines that any financial assistance can be granted until 30 June 1969 and includes conditions that the Treasurer can impose, such as repayment terms. Furthermore, the Act recognises a pre-existing payment of $250,000 made by the Commonwealth to Tasmania before the Act's enactment as part of the financial assistance under this Act. The Act's jurisdiction is limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, with specific focus on the relief efforts for the State of Tasmania, and does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, other than those determined by the Treasurer through imposed conditions.
Key Provisions
The Tasmania Grant (Fire Relief) Act 1967 outlines the provisions for financial assistance to the State of Tasmania to alleviate the effects of specific fires that occurred in the southern portion of the state between 7 February and 3 March 1967. The Act, which came into effect upon receiving Royal Assent, authorizes the Treasurer to provide financial assistance to the State, up to a specified amount, to cover the costs incurred in measures taken to address the fires (sections 1, 2, 4). The Act defines "the fires" as those occurring during the specified period and "the State" as Tasmania (section 3). Additionally, it appropriates Fourteen million five hundred thousand dollars from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for payments under the Act (section 5).
The Act imposes specific obligations and requirements on the parties involved. The Treasurer is granted the authority to determine the conditions under which financial assistance is provided, including any conditions related to the repayment of the amounts paid (section 6). The Treasurer also has the discretion to make advances to the State from lawfully available funds (section 7). These provisions ensure that financial assistance is provided in a structured and controlled manner, with clear stipulations regarding the terms and conditions of the aid.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Tasmania Grant (Fire Relief) Act 1967 may result in legal consequences. Although the Act does not explicitly state the offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach, it implies that any unauthorized payments or misuse of the appropriated funds could lead to legal action. The Act's structured approach and conditions for financial assistance aim to prevent such breaches, ensuring that the allocated funds are used appropriately to support Tasmania in addressing the aftermath of the fires.