SOCIAL SERVICES.

No. 45 of 1961.

An Act to amend the Social Services Act 1947-1960.

[Assented to 27th September, 1961.]

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.—(l.)  This Act may be cited as the Social Services Act 1961.

(2.)  The Social Services Act 1947-1960 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.)  The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Social Services Act 1947-1961.

Commencement.

2.   This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

Rate of pension.

3.   Section twenty-eight of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-section (1a.) the words “Two hundred and sixty pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Two hundred and seventy-three pounds”; and

(b) by omitting from sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (b) of sub-section (3.) the words “Thirty-four pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Thirty-five pounds”.

Amount of wife’s allowance.

4.   Section thirty-three of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from sub-section (1.) the words “Ninety-one pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “One hundred and twenty-three pounds ten shillings”.

Child’s allowance.

5.   Section thirty-four of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from sub-section (6.) the words “Twenty-nine pounds eighteen shillings” and inserting in their stead the words “Thirty-nine pounds”.

Inmates of benevolent homes.

6.   Section fifty of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from paragraph (a) of sub-section (1.) the words “Ninety-one pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Ninety-six pounds four shillings”.

Rate of widow’s pension.

7.   Section sixty-three of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting from paragraph (a) of sub-section (1.) the words “Two hundred and seventy-three pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Two hundred and eighty-six pounds”;

(b) by omitting from paragraph (b) of sub-section (1.) the words “Two hundred and twenty-seven pounds ten shillings” and inserting in their stead the words “Two hundred and forty pounds ten shillings”;

(c) by omitting from sub-section (1a.) the words “Twenty-six pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Thirty-nine pounds”; and

(d) by omitting from sub-section (3.) the words “Four pounds seven shillings and sixpence” and inserting in their stead the words “Four pounds twelve shillings and sixpence”.

Inmates of benevolent homes.

8.   Section eighty of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-section (1.) the words “who is not less than fifty years of age” (wherever occurring); and

(b) by omitting from paragraph (a) of sub-section (1.) the words “Eighty-one pounds eighteen shillings” and inserting in their stead the words “Eighty-seven pounds two shillings”.

Rate of unemployment and sickness benefit.

9.   Section one hundred and twelve of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting from paragraph (c) of sub-section (1.) the words “Three pounds five shillings” and inserting in their stead the words “Three pounds fifteen shillings”;

(b) by omitting from sub-sections (2.), (3.) and (4.) the words “Two pounds seven shillings and sixpence” (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “Two pounds twelve shillings and sixpence”; and

(c) by omitting from sub-section (5.) the words “Ten shillings” (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “Twelve shillings and sixpence”.

Means test.

10.  Section one hundred and fourteen of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from sub-section (4.) the words “Two pounds seven shillings and sixpence” and inserting in their stead the words “Two pounds twelve shillings and sixpence”.

Recovery of cost of treatment and training.

11.  Section one hundred and thirty-five r of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from sub-section (5.) the words “this section” (last occurring).

Application of amendments.

12.—(1.)  The amendments made by this Act, in so far as they affect instalments of pensions or of allowances, apply in relation to an instalment of pension or of an allowance, as the case may be, falling due on the first pension pay day after the date of commencement of this Act and to all subsequent instalments.

(2.)  The amendments made by this Act, in so far as they affect any unemployment or sickness benefit, apply in relation to benefit in respect of a period that commences on or after the date of commencement of this Act or commenced during the period of six days immediately preceding that date.