Ministers of State Act 1952

No. 1, 1952

Compilation No.   12

Compilation date: 29 November 2023

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 104, 2023

Registered: 4 December 2023

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Ministers of State Act 1952 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 29 November 2023 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self - repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

1 Short title 1

2 Commencement 1

4 Number of Ministers 1

5 Notification of certain matters relating to Executive Councillors 1

6 Notification of appointment of officer to administer a department of State of the Commonwealth etc. 3

6A Notification of direction that Minister of State holds an office etc. 4

7 Regulations 6

Endnotes 7

Endnote 1—About the endnotes 7

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key 9

Endnote 3—Legislation history 10

Endnote 4—Amendment history 13

An Act to provide for matters relating to Ministers of State and Executive Councillors, and for related purposes
1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Ministers of State Act 1952.
2 Commencement

This Act shall be deemed to have come into operation on .
4 Number of Ministers

The number of the Ministers of State must not exceed:

 a

in the case of those designated, when appointed by the Governor-General, as Parliamentary Secretary—12; and

 b

in the case of those not so designated—30.

Note: For the annual limit on the sum payable for the salaries of Ministers of State, see Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.section 55 of the

5 Notification of certain matters relating to Executive Councillors

Choosing, summoning and swearing of an Executive Councillor

 1

If the Governor-General has chosen, summoned and sworn an Executive Councillor as a member of the Federal Executive Council under section 62 of the Constitution, the Official Secretary to the Governor-General must by notifiable instrument:

 a

notify that the Executive Councillor has been so chosen, summoned and sworn; and

 b

specify:

 i

the name of the Executive Councillor; and

 ii

(ii) the day (the swearing day) on which the Executive Councillor was so chosen, summoned and sworn.

 2

The notifiable instrument under subsection (1):

 a

must be made as soon as practicable after the swearing day; and

 b

(b) may comprise a copy of the instrument (the section 62 instrument) made by the Governor-General notifying that the Governor-General has chosen, summoned and sworn the Executive Councillor as a member of the Federal Executive Council under section 62 of the Constitution.

 3

The validity of a section 62 instrument is not affected by any failure to comply with subsections (1) and (2).

Revocation of Executive Councillor’s membership of the Federal Executive Council

 4

If the Governor-General revokes an Executive Councillor’s membership of the Federal Executive Council, the Official Secretary to the Governor-General must by notifiable instrument:

 a

notify that the Executive Councillor’s membership of the Federal Executive Council has been revoked by the Governor-General; and

 b

specify:

 i

the name of the former Executive Councillor; and

 ii

(ii) the day (the revocation day) on which the revocation occurred.

 5

The notifiable instrument under subsection (4):

 a

must be made as soon as practicable after the revocation day; and

 b

(b) may comprise a copy of the instrument (the section 62 revocation instrument) made by the Governor-General revoking the Executive Councillor’s membership of the Federal Executive Council.

 6

The validity of a section 62 revocation instrument is not affected by any failure to comply with subsections (4) and (5).
6 Notification of appointment of officer to administer a department of State of the Commonwealth etc.

Appointment of an officer to administer a department of State of the Commonwealth

 1

If the Governor-General appoints an officer to administer a department of State of the Commonwealth under section 64 of the Constitution, the Official Secretary to the Governor-General must by notifiable instrument:

 a

notify that the officer has been so appointed by the Governor-General; and

 b

specify:

 i

the name of the officer; and

 ii

the name of the department of State of the Commonwealth; and

 iii

(iii) the day (the appointment day) on which the officer was so appointed.

 2

The notifiable instrument under subsection (1):

 a

must be made as soon as practicable after the appointment day; and

 b

(b) may comprise a copy of the instrument (the section 64 instrument) made by the Governor-General appointing the officer to administer the department of State of the Commonwealth under section 64 of the Constitution.

 3

The validity of a section 64 instrument is not affected by any failure to comply with subsections (1) and (2).

Revocation of appointment of an officer to administer a department of State of the Commonwealth

 4

If the Governor-General revokes an appointment made under section 64 of the Constitution that an officer administer a department of State of the Commonwealth, the Official Secretary to the Governor-General must by notifiable instrument:

 a

notify that the appointment of the officer has been revoked by the Governor-General; and

 b

specify:

 i

the name of the officer; and

 ii

the name of the department of State of the Commonwealth; and

 iii

(iii) the day (the revocation day) on which the revocation occurred.

 5

The notifiable instrument under subsection (4):

 a

must be made as soon as practicable after the revocation day; and

 b

(b) may comprise a copy of the instrument (the section 64 revocation instrument) revoking the appointment of the officer to administer the department of State of the Commonwealth under section 64 of the Constitution.

 6

The validity of a section 64 revocation instrument is not affected by any failure to comply with subsections (4) and (5).
6A Notification of direction that Minister of State holds an office etc.

Direction that a Minister of State holds an office

 1

If the Governor-General directs that a Minister of State holds an office under section 65 of the Constitution, the Official Secretary to the Governor-General must by notifiable instrument:

 a

notify that the Governor-General has directed that the Minister of State holds the office; and

 b

specify:

 i

the name of the Minister of State; and

 ii

the name of the office; and

 iii

(iii) the day (the direction day) on which the Governor-General so directed.

 2

The notifiable instrument under subsection (1):

 a

must be made as soon as practicable after the direction day; and

 b

(b) may comprise a copy of the instrument (the section 65 instrument) made by the Governor-General directing that a Minister of State holds an office under section 65 of the Constitution.

 3

The validity of a section 65 instrument is not affected by any failure to comply with subsections (1) and (2).

Revocation of direction that a Minister of State holds an office

 4

If the Governor-General revokes a direction made under section 65 of the Constitution that a Minister of State holds an office, the Official Secretary to the Governor-General must by notifiable instrument:

 a

notify that the direction that the Minister of State holds the office has been revoked by the Governor-General; and

 b

specify:

 i

the name of the Minister of State; and

 ii

the name of the former office; and

 iii

(iii) the day (the revocation day) on which the revocation occurred.

 5

The notifiable instrument under subsection (4):

 a

must be made as soon as practicable after the revocation day; and

 b

(b) may comprise a copy of the instrument (the section 65 revocation instrument) made by the Governor-General revoking the direction that the Minister of State holds an office under section 65 of the Constitution.

 6

The validity of a section 65 revocation instrument is not affected by any failure to comply with subsections (4) and (5).
7 Regulations

The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters:

 a

required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or

 b

necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under Legislation Act 2003.section 15V of the

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
ad = added or inserted o = order(s)
am = amended Ord = Ordinance
amdt = amendment orig = original
c = clause(s) par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x /sub-subparagraph(s)
Ch = Chapter(s) pres = present
def = definition(s) prev = previous
Dict = Dictionary (prev…) = previously
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament Pt = Part(s)
Div = Division(s) r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
ed = editorial change reloc = relocated
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have renum = renumbered
effect rep = repealed
F = Federal Register of Legislation rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003 Sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
effect SR = Statutory Rules
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)
cannot be given effect SubPt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification underlining = whole or part not
No. = Number(s) commenced or to be commenced

Endnote 3—Legislation history
Act Number and year Assent Commencement Application, saving and transitional provisions
Ministers of State Act 1952 1, 1952
Ministers of State Act 1956 1, 1956 —
Ministers of State Act 1959 18, 1959 —
Ministers of State Act 1964 1, 1964 —
Ministers of State Act (No. 2) 1964 71, 1964 —
Statute Law Revision (Decimal Currency) Act 1966 93, 1966 —
Ministers of State Act 1967 1, 1967 —
Ministers of State Act 1968 102, 1968 —
Ministers of State Act 1971 43, 1971 18 May 1971 18 May 1971 —
Remuneration and Allowances Act 1973 14, 1973 —
Statute Law Revision Act 1973 216, 1973 s 9(1) and 10
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1978 82, 1978 22 June 1978 22 June 1978 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1979 141, 1979 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1980 165, 1980 —
Remuneration and Allowances Amendment Act 1981 121, 1981 1 July 1981 —
Remuneration and Allowances Amendment Act 1982 78, 1982 —
Remuneration and Allowances Amendment Act 1983 128, 1983 s 8: 22 Dec 1983 (s 2(1)) —
Remuneration and Allowances Amendment Act 1984 73, 1984 25 June 1984 25 June 1984 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1985 56, 1985 4 June 1985 4 June 1985 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1986 26, 1986 13 May 1986 13 May 1986 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1987 71, 1987 5 June 1987 5 June 1987 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act (No. 2) 1987 91, 1987 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1988 19, 1988 11 May 1988 11 May 1988 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1989 20, 1989 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1990 109, 1990 17 Jan 1991 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1992 50, 1992 17 June 1992 17 June 1992 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1994 35, 1994 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1996 2, 1996 30 May 1996 30 May 1996 —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 1999 115, 1999 —
Ministers of State and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2000 1, 2000 Sch 1: (s 2(1) and gaz 2000, No S112) —
Ministers of State Amendment Act 2002 6, 2002 Sch 1 (item 2)
Ministers of State Amendment Act 2006 38, 2006 3 May 2006 3 May 2006 Sch 1 (item 2)
Ministers of State Amendment Act 2010 59, 2010 25 June 2010 25 June 2010 Sch 1 (item 3)
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2016 4, 2016 11 Feb 2016 Sch 1 (item 23): 10 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) —
Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017 38, 2017 19 May 2017 Sch 1 (items 23–25) and Sch 3 (items 1–3, 11): 1 Jan 2018 (s 2(1) items 3, 5) Sch 3 (items 1–3, 11)
Ministers of State Amendment Act 2023 104, 2023 28 Nov 2023 29 Nov 2023 (s 2(1) item 1) Sch 1 (item 3)

Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected How affected
Title am No 38, 2017; No 104, 2023
s 2 am No 14, 1973
s 3 am No 14, 1973
rep No 216, 1973
s 4 am No 1, 1956; No 1, 1964; No 1, 1967; No 43, 1971; No 91, 1987
rs No 1, 2000
am No 38, 2017
s 5 am No 1, 1956; No 18, 1959; Nos 1 and 71, 1964; No 93, 1966; No 1, 1967; No 102, 1968; No 43, 1971; No 14, 1973; No 82, 1978; No 141, 1979; No 165, 1980; No 121, 1981; No 78, 1982; No 128, 1983; No 73, 1984; No 56, 1985; No 26, 1986; No 71, 1987; No 19, 1988; No 20, 1989; No 109, 1990; No 50, 1992; No 35, 1994; No 2, 1996
rs No 115, 1999
am No 1, 2000; No 6, 2002; No 38, 2006
rs No 59, 2010
rep No 38, 2017
ad No 104, 2023
s 6 am No 71, 1964; No 93, 1966; No 102, 1968; No 14, 1973
rs No 82, 1978
am No 4, 2016
rep No 38, 2017
ad No 104, 2023
s 6A ad No 104, 2023
s 7 rs No 18, 1959
am No 71, 1964; No 93, 1966; No 102, 1968
rs No 14, 1973
rep No 82, 1978
ad No 59, 2010
s 8 ad No 14, 1973
rep No 82, 1978
s 9 ad No 14, 1973
rep No 82, 1978
The Schedule heading rep No 14, 1973
Schedule heading ad No 14, 1973
Schedule rep No 216, 1973