INVALID AND OLD-AGE PENSIONS.

No. 11 of 1937.

An Act to amend sections twenty-four, thirty-one, forty-five and forty-seven of the Invalid and Old-age Pensions Act 1908–1936.

[Assented to 2nd September, 1937.]

BE it enacted by the King’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 Invalid and Old-age Pensions Act 1937.

(2.) The Invalid and Old-age Pensions Act 1908-1936 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Invalid and Old-age Pensions Act 1908–1937.

Limit of pension.

2. Section twenty-four of the Principal Act is amended by omitting sub-sections (1.), (1a.), (1b.) and (1c.) and inserting in their stead the following sub-section:—

“(1.) Subject to this Act, the amount of a pension shall in each case be at such rate as, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner who determines the pension claim deems reasonable and sufficient, but shall not in any event exceed the rate of Fifty-two pounds per annum, nor shall it be at such a rate as will make the pensioner’s income, together with pension, exceed Eighty-four pounds ten shillings per annum:

Provided that, in the case of a permanently blind person who is qualified under this Act to receive a pension, the amount of pension may be at such a rate (not exceeding Fifty-two pounds per annum) as will make the income of the pensioner and of the pensioner’s wife (or husband), together with the pension, equal to an amount not exceeding Two hundred and twenty-seven pounds ten shillings per annum or such other amount as is declared by any Act, or by any authority constituted under an Act, to be a basic wage for the portion of the Commonwealth in which the pensioner resides:

Provided further that the income of the husband or wife of a permanently blind person, where the husband and wife are living apart pursuant to any decree, judgment, order or deed of separation, or where there are special reasons which, in the opinion of the Commissioner, are adequate, shall not be taken into account in assessing the rate of pension payable to the blind person.”.

Pension on recommendation by Magistrate.

3. Section thirty-one of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from sub-section (2.) the words “Five shillings and sixpence” and inserting in their stead the words “Six shillings”.

Pension while pensioner in hospital, &c.

4. Section forty-five of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from the proviso thereto the words “Five shillings and sixpence” and inserting in their stead the words “Six shillings”.

Benevolent asylum inmates.

5. Section forty-seven of the Principal Act is amended by omitting the words “Five shillings and sixpence” and inserting in their stead the words “Six shillings”.