WESTERN AUSTRALIA GRANT.
No. 26 of 1948.
An Act to grant and apply out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund a sum for the purpose of Financial Assistance to the State of Western Australia.
[Assented to 24th June, 1948.]
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.
1. This Act may be cited as the Western Australia Grant Act 1948.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Payment for financial assistance to State of Western Australia.
3. There shall be payable to the State of Western Australia, in respect of the year which commenced on the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and forty-seven, for the purpose of financial assistance, in addition to the sum granted by the States Grants Act (No. 2) 1947, the sum of One million pounds.
Appropriation.
4. Payment in accordance with this Act shall be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is hereby appropriated accordingly.
Overview
The Western Australia Grant Act 1948 was enacted to provide financial assistance to the State of Western Australia, addressing a specific need for additional funding to support the state’s economic recovery and development efforts post-World War II. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, the Act appropriates funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for this purpose, reflecting the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting state economies through financial grants. The primary objective of this legislation is to ensure that the State of Western Australia receives the necessary financial aid to facilitate its growth and development, thereby contributing to the overall stability and prosperity of the nation.
Scope and Application
The Western Australia Grant Act 1948 applies specifically to the State of Western Australia, providing an additional financial grant to support the state's budget for the fiscal year commencing 1 July 1947. The Act is enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, thus it has a national jurisdictional reach, though its primary application is directed towards the specified state. The Act appropriates a sum of One million pounds, to be disbursed from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, thereby supporting the state's financial needs as stipulated. The Act does not explicitly detail any exclusions or exemptions, nor does it reference any subordinate instruments that might extend or restrict its application. The Act came into operation immediately upon receiving Royal Assent, ensuring prompt financial support for the state.
Key Provisions
The Western Australia Grant Act 1948 (sections 1–4) establishes the framework for providing financial assistance to the State of Western Australia. Section 1 gives the act its short title, while Section 2 states that the act will come into operation on the day of its Royal Assent. Section 3 mandates the payment of one million pounds to Western Australia for the year commencing on 1 July 1947, in addition to the sum granted under the States Grants Act (No. 2) 1947. Finally, Section 4 specifies that the payment is to be made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, thereby appropriating the necessary funds.
Under this act, the primary obligation falls on the Commonwealth to disburse the specified sum to Western Australia. This obligation is clearly laid out in Section 3, which not only stipulates the amount but also the additional nature of this grant in relation to existing grants under other acts. Section 4 ensures that the funds are sourced from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, thus formalising the appropriation process.
Breach of the obligations outlined in the Western Australia Grant Act 1948 could potentially lead to administrative and legal consequences, though the act itself does not explicitly detail specific offences or penalties. Non-compliance with the appropriation and disbursement process could result in broader financial mismanagement charges under other related Commonwealth legislation. The act, however, does not specify maximum penalties within its own provisions, leaving any severe repercussions to be determined by other relevant laws and regulations.