Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

HOUSING ASSISTANCE ACT 1989 - SECT 16

             (1)  Where:

                     (a)  the Minister has authorised specific grants to a State in a grant year; and

                     (b)  after consulting the State Minister, the Minister is satisfied, having regard to the amounts that the State is able to expend in respect of that year for specific assistance, that it would not be appropriate for the grants to be paid in full;

the Minister may:

                     (c)  vary the authorisation by reducing the total amount of the grants; or

                     (d)  so vary the authorisation and authorise such additional specific grants, not exceeding the reduction, as the Minister determines to be appropriate to such other of the States as the Minister determines to be appropriate.

             (2)  Where:

                     (a)  the Minister has authorised specific grants to a State in a grant year; and

                     (b)  after consulting the State Minister, the Minister is satisfied in respect of the grants or any of them that the State has contravened, or has acted in a manner that is inconsistent with, either or both of the following:

                              (i)  a housing agreement with the State;

                             (ii)  a guideline made under the agreement;

the Minister:

                     (c)  may revoke the authorisation; or

                     (d)  may vary the authorisation by reducing the amount authorised; or

                     (e)  may:

                              (i)  revoke the authorisation; and

                             (ii)  declare the amount authorised by the revoked authorisation to be available for reallocation; or

                      (f)  may:

                              (i)  vary the authorisation by reducing the amount authorised; and

                             (ii)  declare the amount of the reduction to be available for reallocation.

             (3)  Where the Minister declares an amount to be available for reallocation, the Minister may authorise additional specific grants, not exceeding the reduction, of such amounts as the Minister determines to be appropriate to such other of the States as the Minister determines to be appropriate.