PM Transcripts

Press Statement No~.
March 1973
COMMONWEALTH GRANTS COMMISSION
Cabinet today decided to amend the Grants Commission Act
to authorise a full inquiry into the application of grants for
Local Government purposes*
The Cabinet decision followed the undertaking in Laborts
Election Policy Speech that legislation on the amendment would be
introduced in the first sitting of Federal Parliament.
Today's decision will not alter the Commission's function
regarding special grants paid to claimant States. The Commission
however will be given the additional task of recommending Section 96
grants to the States for payment to Local Government-.
Cabinet decided thatt
* Assistance for Local Goqvernment under the amended Act
should take the form of Section 9 grants to State
Governments and be proy'ided only n condition that they
are paid to the Local % overnmnent 4rg anisations for which
they are intended.
* Applications for assistance should be addressed to the
Special Minister of State with a copy to the State
Governments.
0 Applications eligible for reference to the Grants Commission
to be confined to applications from regional organisations
of Local Government, approved for the purpose by the
Minister for Urban and Regional Development.
o The Grants Commission after investigation of an application
to recommend to the Government the amount of assistance
considered appropriate.
o The Grants Commission Act should provide for the
continuation of the Commission's present functions in
relation to applications for special grants by the claimant
States,.
CANBERRA. A. C. T._