{"id":"victoria-grants-commission-act-1976","name":"Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976","slug":"victorian-local-government-grants-commission-act-1976","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":174977,"registerId":"vic-victoria-grants-commission-act-1976-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976","content":"Version No. 032\n\n**Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976**\n\n**No. 8887 of 1976**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n6 April 2020\n\n**table of provisions**\n\n*Section Page*\n\n1 Short title and commencement 1\n\n2 Definitions 1\n\n3 Establishment of the Victorian Local Government Grants Commission 3\n\n4 Meeting of the Commission 4\n\n5 Illness or suspension of members 4\n\n6 Remuneration of members 4\n\n7 Removal of members 5\n\n8 Vacation of office of members 5\n\n9 Staff 6\n\n10 Commission may require Council to provide information 6\n\n12 Allocation of funds by the Commission 7\n\n16 Referral by the Minister 7\n\n17 Annual Allocation Report 8\n\n19 Regulations 9\n\n20 Construction of references 9\n\nEndnotes 11\n\n1 General information 11\n\n2 Table of Amendments 13\n\n3 Amendments Not in Operation 16\n\n4 Explanatory details 17\n\n**Version No.** **032**\n\n**Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976**\n\n**No. 8887 of 1976**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n6 April 2020\n\nAn Act to establish a Victoria Grants Commission to determine the Allocation of Financial Assistance to Municipalities in Victoria and for other purposes.\n\n**BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of Victoria in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same as follows (that is to say):**\n\n\t1 Short title and commencement\n\nS. 1(1) amended by No. 9/2020 s. 366.\n\n(1) This Act may be cited as the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976**.\n\n(2) The several provisions of this Act shall come into operation on a day or on the respective days to be fixed by proclamation or by successive proclamations of the Governor in Council published in the Government Gazette.\n\nS. 2 amended by No. 86/1998 s. 25 (ILA s. 39B(1)).\n\n\t2 Definitions\n\n(1) In this Act, unless inconsistent with the context or subject-matter—\n\nS. 2(1) def. of *As-of-Right Entitlement* substituted by No. 38/1987 s. 4(a), amended by Nos 12/1989 s. 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 127.1), 74/2000 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 137.1), repealed by No. 9/2020 s. 367(a).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 2(1) def. of *chairman* amended by No. 38/1987 s. 5(a).\n\n***chairperson*** means the chairperson of the Commission and includes an acting chairperson;\n\nS. 2(1) def. of *Commission* substituted by No. 9/2020 s. 367(b).\n\n***Commission*** means the Victorian Local Government Grants Commission;\n\nS. 2(1) def. of *Council* inserted by No. 12/1989 s. 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 127.2) amended by No. 9/2020 s. 367(c).\n\n***Council*** has the same meaning as in the **Local Government Act 2020**;\n\nS. 2(1) def. of *member* amended by No. 38/1987 s. 5(a).\n\n***member*** means the chairperson or another member of the Commission and includes chairperson or member;\n\nS. 2(1) def. of *Minister* inserted by No. 38/1987 s. 4(b).\n\n***Minister*** means the Minister administering this Act.\n\nS. 2(1) def. of *municipality* repealed by No. 12/1989 s. 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 127.3).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 2(2) inserted by No. 86/1998 s. 25, substituted by No. 59/2003 s. 126, repealed by No. 74/2006 s. 30.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3 (Heading) inserted by No. 9/2020 s. 368(1).\n\n\t3 Establishment of the Victorian Local Government Grants Commission\n\nS. 3(1) amended by No. 9/2020 s. 368(2).\n\n(1) For the purpose of this Act there shall be a body by the name of the Victorian Local Government Grants Commission.\n\nS. 3(1A) inserted by No. 9/2020 s. 368(3).\n\n(1A) Despite the change of name, the Victorian Local Government Grants Commission is the same body as the Victoria Grants Commission.\n\nS. 3(2) amended by No. 38/1987 s. 5(a).\n\n(2) The Commission shall consist of a chairperson and two other members appointed by the Governor in Council.\n\nS. 3(3) amended by No. 38/1987 s. 6, repealed by No. 9/2020 s. 368(4).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(4) amended by No. 38/1987 s. 5(b).\n\n(4) Subject to this Act each member shall be appointed and hold office for such period of not more than five years as is specified in the instrument of that member's appointment and shall be eligible for re-appointment.\n\nS. 3(5) amended by No. 46/1998  \ns. 7(Sch. 1), substituted by No. 108/2004 s. 117(1) (Sch. 3 item 216.1).\n\n(5) The **Public Administration Act 2004** (other than Part 5 of that Act) does not apply to a member of the Commission in respect of the office of member.\n\nS. 4 amended by No. 38/1987 s. 5(a)(c), substituted by No. 9/2020 s. 369.\n\n\t4 Meeting of the Commission\n\n(1) A meeting of the Commission must include at least 2 members.\n\n(2) Subject to this Act, the procedure of the Commission is to be determined by the Commission.\n\n(3) An act or decision of the Commission is not invalid by reason only of—\n\n(a) a vacancy in the office of a member; or\n\n(b) a defect or irregularity in the appointment of a member.\n\nS. 5  \namended by No. 38/1987 s. 5(b).\n\n\t5 Illness or suspension of members\n\nIn the case of the illness suspension or absence of any member, the Governor in Council may appoint a person to act as the deputy of the member during that member's illness suspension or absence, and the deputy shall, whilst so acting, have all the powers and perform all the duties of a member.\n\n\t6 Remuneration of members\n\nS. 6(1) amended by No. 38/1987 s. 5(a).\n\n(1) The chairperson and each of the other members of the Commission shall each receive such remuneration and travelling and other allowances as are determined by the Governor in Council.\n\n(2) Subject to this Act, members of the Commission shall hold office on such terms and conditions as are determined by the Governor in Council.\n\nS. 6(3) amended by Nos 38/1987 s. 5(d), 50/1988 s. 93(2)(Sch. 2 Pt 2 item 64).\n\n(3) Any person who at the date of that person's appointment as a member of the Commission is an officer within the meaning of the **State Superannuation Act 1988** shall, notwithstanding that person's appointment, be deemed to continue subject to that Act to be an officer within the meaning of that Act.\n\nS. 6(4) amended by Nos 38/1987 s. 5(d), 23/1988 s. 61(10)  \n(a)–(c).\n\n(4) Any person who at the date of that person's appointment as a member of the Commission is an employee within the meaning of the **Local Authorities Superannuation Act 1988** shall, notwithstanding that person's appointment as a member, be deemed to continue subject to that Act to be an employee within the meaning of that Act and in relation to any such employee the Commission shall be deemed to be an authority within the meaning of that Act.\n\nS. 7 substituted by No. 9/2020 s. 370.\n\n\t7 Removal of members\n\nThe Governor in Council may by an Order in Council remove a member from office.\n\nS. 8  \namended by No. 38/1987 s. 5(b).\n\n\t8 Vacation of office of members\n\nA member shall be deemed to have vacated that member's office if—\n\nS. 8(a) amended by No. 38/1987 s. 5(b)(e).\n\n(a) that member becomes bankrupt or that member's property becomes subject to control under the law relating to bankruptcy, or that member compounds with that member's creditors or makes an assignment of the whole or any part of any remuneration to which that member is or may be entitled pursuant to this Act for their benefit;\n\nS. 8(b) amended by No. 38/1987 s. 5(e), repealed by No. 9/2020 s. 371.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 8(c) amended by No. 38/1987 s. 5(b)(e).\n\n(c) that member becomes permanently incapable of performing that member's duties; or\n\nS. 8(d) amended by No. 38/1987 s. 5(b).\n\n(d) resigns that member's office by writing under that member's hand addressed to the Governor in Council.\n\nS. 9 substituted by No. 46/1998  \ns. 7(Sch. 1), amended by No. 108/2004 s. 117(1) (Sch. 3 item 216.2).\n\n\t9 Staff\n\nA secretary and any other employees that are necessary to assist the Commission in carrying out its functions under this Act are to be employed under Part 3 of the **Public Administration Act 2004**.\n\nS. 10 amended by Nos 38/1987 s. 7, 12/1989 s. 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 127.4), substituted by No. 9/2020 s. 372.\n\n\t10 Commission may require Council to provide information\n\n(1) The Commission may by written notice require a Council to provide information that the Commission requires to enable the Commission to perform its functions—\n\n(a) in the form; and\n\n(b) containing the particulars; and\n\n(c) by the date—\n\nspecified in the written notice.\n\n(2) A Council must comply with a written notice given to the Council under subsection (1).\n\nS. 11  \nrepealed by No. 38/1987 s. 8.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 12 amended by Nos 38/1987 ss 9, 10, 12/1989 s. 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 127.6), 74/2000 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 137.2), substituted by No. 9/2020 s. 373.\n\n\t12 Allocation of funds by the Commission\n\n(1) The Commission must on or before 31 August in each year determine the amount to be allocated to each Council in that year.\n\n(2) The Commission must determine the allocations in accordance with the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 of the Commonwealth and any principles formulated under section 6 of that Act.\n\n(3) A determination of the Commission is not invalid if it is made after 31 August in a financial year.\n\nS. 13 amended by No. 38/1987 s. 11(a)(b), repealed by No. 9/2020 s. 374.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 14 amended by Nos 38/1987 s. 5(f), 12/1989 s. 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 127.7), repealed by No. 9/2020 s. 374.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 15 amended by No. 12/1989 s. 4(1)(Sch. 2 items 127.8, 127.9), substituted by No. 125/1993 s. 20(13), repealed by No. 9/2020 s. 374.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 16 substituted by No. 9/2020 s. 375.\n\n\t16 Referral by the Minister\n\n(1) The Minister may refer any matter relating to local government finances to the Commission.\n\n(2) For the purposes of a referral under subsection (1), Division 5 of Part 7 of the **Local Government Act 2020** applies, with such modifications as are necessary, as if the Commission had been appointed as a Commission of Inquiry under section 200 of that Act.\n\nS. 17 (Heading) inserted by No. 9/2020 s. 376(1).\n\n\t17 Annual Allocation Report\n\nS. 17(1) amended by No. 9/2020 s. 376(2)(a).\n\n(1) The Commission shall on or before the 30th day of November in each year furnish the Minister with an Annual Allocation Report including a report on the activities of the Commission during the preceding year ending on the 31st day of August.\n\nS. 17(2) amended by No. 9/2020 s. 376(2)(b).\n\n(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1) the Annual Allocation Report shall—\n\nS. 17(2)(a) amended by No. 12/1989 s. 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 127.10).\n\n(a) contain a summary of the amounts last determined by the Commission to be allocated to councils; and\n\nS. 17(2)(b) amended by No. 38/1987  \ns. 12.\n\n(b) report on any inquiries conducted by the Commission pursuant to the powers conferred by section 16; and\n\nS. 17(2)(c) inserted by No. 38/1987 s. 12, amended by Nos 74/2000 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 137.3), 9/2020 s. 376(2)(c).\n\n(c) contain details of the methods used by the Commission in determining the amounts allocated to each council over the years since the last such details were contained in such a report.\n\nS. 17(3) amended by Nos 38/1987 s. 5(g), 9/2020 s. 376(2)(d).\n\n(3) The Minister shall cause every Annual Allocation Report furnished to the Minister under this section to be laid before both Houses of Parliament within 30 days of receiving the Annual Allocation Report if Parliament is then sitting or if Parliament is not then sitting within 30 days after the next meeting of Parliament.\n\nS. 18 amended by Nos 69/2009 s. 54(Sch. Pt 2 item 56), 67/2014 s. 147(Sch. 2 item 41), repealed by No. 9/2020 s. 377.\n\n* * * * *\n\n\t19 Regulations\n\nThe Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing all matters which are required or permitted to be prescribed or which are necessary to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act and in particular regulating the practice and procedure of the Commission.\n\nS. 20 inserted by No. 9/2020 s. 378.\n\n\t20 Construction of references\n\n(1) Any reference to the **Victoria Grants Commission Act 1976** in any Act, subordinate instrument, agreement or other document, so far as it relates to any period after the commencement of Division 4 of Part 11 of the **Local Government Act 2020**, is to be construed as a reference to the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976**, unless the contrary intention appears.\n\n(2) Any reference to the Victoria Grants Commission in any Act, subordinate instrument, agreement or other document, so far as it relates to any period after the commencement of Division 4 of Part 11 of the **Local Government Act 2020**, is to be construed as a reference to the Victorian Local Government Grants Commission, unless the contrary intention appears.\n\n\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\nThe **Victoria Grants Commission Act 1976** was assented to on 26 October 1976 and came into operation on 16 February 1977: Government Gazette 9 February 1977 page 319.\n\nThe title of this Act was changed from the **Victoria Grants Commission Act 1976** to the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** by section 366 of the **Local Government Act 2020**, No. 9/2020.\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original section or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.  \nSee section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** by Acts and subordinate instruments.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n**Victoria Grants Commission (Amendment) Act 1987, No. 38/1987**\n\n| Assent Date: | 12.5.87 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 24.2.88—see **Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984**: Government Gazette 24.2.88 p. 410 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Local Authorities Superannuation Act 1988, No. 23/1988**\n\n| Assent Date: | 17.5.88 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Pts 1, 7 on 1.9.87: s. 2(2); rest of Act on 25.5.88: Government Gazette 25.5.88 p. 1458 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**State Superannuation Act 1988, No. 50/1988**\n\n| Assent Date: | 24.5.88 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 93(2)(Sch. 2 Pt 2 item 64) on 1.7.88: Government Gazette 1.6.88 p. 1487 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** |\n\n\n**Local Government (Consequential Amendments) Act 1989, No. 12/1989** (as amended by No. 13/1990)\n\n| Assent Date: | 9.5.89 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 4(Sch. 2 items 127.1–127.4, 127.6–127.10) on 1.11.89: Government Gazette 1.11.89 p. 2798 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** |\n\n\n**Local Government (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1993, No. 125/1993**\n\n| Assent Date: | 7.12.93 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 20(13) on 7.12.93: s. 2(4) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** |\n\n\n**Public Sector Reform (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 46/1998**\n\n| Assent Date: | 26.5.98 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 7(Sch. 1) on 1.7.98: s. 2(2) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** |\n\n\n**Local Government (Governance and Melton) Act 1998, No. 86/1998**\n\n| Assent Date: | 17.11.98 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 25 on 1.7.99: Government Gazette 17.6.99 p. 1406 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** |\n\n\n**Statute Law Revision Act 2000, No. 74/2000**\n\n| Assent Date: | 21.11.00 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. 1 item 137) on 22.11.00: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** |\n\n\n**Victorian Urban Development Authority Act 2003, No. 59/2003**\n\n| Assent Date: | 16.6.03 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 126 on 1.8.03: Government Gazette 31.7.03 p. 2125 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** |\n\n\n**Public Administration Act 2004, No. 108/2004**\n\n| Assent Date: | 21.12.04 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 117(1)(Sch. 3 item 216) on 5.4.05: Government Gazette 31.3.05 p. 602 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** |\n\n\n**City of Melbourne and Docklands Acts (Governance) Act 2006, No. 74/2006**\n\n| Assent Date: | 10.10.06 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 30 on 1.7.07: Government Gazette 28.6.07 p. 1303 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** |\n\n\n**Statute Law Amendment (Evidence Consequential Provisions) Act 2009, No. 69/2009**\n\n| Assent Date: | 24.11.09 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 54(Sch. Pt 2 item 56) on 1.1.10: s. 2(2) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** |\n\n\n**Inquiries Act 2014, No. 67/2014**\n\n| Assent Date: | 23.9.14 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 147(Sch. 2 item 41) on 15.10.14: Special Gazette (No. 364) 14.10.14 p. 2 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** |\n\n\n**Local Government Act 2020, No. 9/2020**\n\n| *Assent Date:* | 24.3.20 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Commencement Date:* | Ss 366−378 on 6.4.20: Special Gazette (No. 150) 24.3.20 p. 1 |\n| *Current State:* | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976** |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Amendments Not in Operation\n\nThis version does not contain amendments that are not yet in operation.\n\n4 Explanatory details\n\nNo entries at date of publication.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act was originally titled the 'Victoria Grants Commission Act 1976', suggesting a broader or differently-framed mandate. The rename to 'Victorian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1976' indicates the scope was clarified or narrowed over time to explicitly focus on local government grants, distinguishing it from broader state grants commission functions."},"complexity_factors":["Limited legislative text provided — only metadata and version history visible, making full analysis difficult","The Act establishes a Commission with procedural and governance rules that require interpretation","Intergovernmental financial arrangements (state/federal funding relationships) add a layer of complexity","The Act has been amended over time (title change noted), suggesting evolving scope","Relatively narrow and specific subject matter keeps overall complexity low"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act creates the independent Victorian Local Government Grants Commission to recommend how state and federal grant funding is shared among local councils. It affects councils, residents and governments by steering resources toward areas of greater need or lower revenue‑raising capacity, promoting fairer, needs‑based distribution of funds so smaller or less wealthy councils aren’t systematically underfunded."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The core purpose—allocating financial assistance to councils—remains, but the Act’s scope has been updated. Recent amendments rename and reframe the body (s.3(1A)), link its work to the Local Government Act 2020 for ministerial referrals and inquiry procedure (s.16; s.20), and adjust governance and administrative provisions (appointments, remuneration, non‑application of parts of the Public Administration Act) (s.3(5); s.6). These changes align functions and powers with newer legislation and alter administrative and inquiry powers compared with the original 1976 text."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑references to Commonwealth legislation (Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995) that determine allocation rules (s.12(2))","Integration with the Local Government Act 2020 for referrals and inquiry procedures (s.16; s.20)","Appointment, remuneration and removal powers vested in the Governor in Council, giving executive discretion over membership (s.3; s.6; s.7)","Statutory timing and reporting obligations (annual allocation by 31 August; Annual Allocation Report by 30 November) (s.12(1); s.17(1))","Information‑compulsion on councils with a mandatory duty to comply (s.10(1)–(2))","Non‑application of parts of the Public Administration Act to members (s.3(5)), creating distinct employment/status rules","Power to make regulations governing procedure (s.19)","Multiple historical amendments, repeals and style changes recorded in endnotes and the Table of Amendments, which complicate tracing original text and legislative intent"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act establishes the Victorian Local Government Grants Commission and gives it the power to determine and allocate annual financial assistance to Victorian councils under the Commonwealth financial‑assistance framework. It also lets the Commission require information from councils, report annually to the Minister, and receive ministerial referrals about local government finances, affecting councils’ funding, reporting duties and the composition and powers of the Commission."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act remains focused on its original purpose: establishing a body to allocate federal financial assistance grants to Victorian municipalities. While the 2020 amendments renamed the Commission (from 'Victoria Grants Commission' to 'Victorian Local Government Grants Commission') and updated references to modern legislation, they did not expand the Commission's powers beyond its core function of grant allocation and related reporting. The addition of section 16 (Ministerial referrals) in 2020 formalised an existing inquiry power rather than creating new jurisdiction."},"complexity_factors":["Short statute with only 20 sections, many of which are administrative (appointment, removal, meetings)","Only 6 defined terms in the interpretation section (section 2), with straightforward definitions","Minimal cross-referencing — primarily references to the Commonwealth Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 and the Victorian Local Government Act 2020","Simple procedural rules: quorum is 2 members, meetings run as the Commission decides","No nested exceptions or complex conditional logic; most provisions are direct commands ('shall') or permissions ('may')","Recent amendments (2020) streamlined the Act by removing obsolete sections (11, 13, 14, 15, 18) and simplifying language"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates the **Victorian Local Government Grants Commission** — a small independent body that decides how to distribute federal financial assistance grants to local councils in Victoria.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Establishes the Commission**: A three-person body (a chairperson plus two members) appointed by the Governor in Council (the Premier and Cabinet) for up to five-year terms.\n- **Distributes money**: Each year, the Commission must decide how much federal funding each Victorian council receives. It must follow the rules set out in the Commonwealth's *Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995*.\n- **Gathers information**: The Commission can force councils to hand over financial information needed to calculate fair allocations.\n- **Reports to Parliament**: The Commission must produce an annual report by 30 November showing how much each council got and explaining the methods used.\n- **Conducts inquiries**: The Minister can ask the Commission to investigate local government finance issues, giving it powers similar to a formal Commission of Inquiry (essentially, the power to compel evidence).\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Local councils**: They must provide financial data when asked and receive their share of federal funds based on the Commission's calculations.\n- **Commission members**: They get paid by the government, can be removed by the Governor in Council, and must leave office if they go bankrupt or resign.\n- **The public**: Through Parliament, which receives and tables the annual reports.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis Act ensures that roughly $500 million in federal funding (the exact amount varies yearly) is distributed fairly among Victoria's 79 councils based on need, rather than political whim. It provides transparency through mandatory reporting and gives the Minister a tool to investigate financial problems in local government."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/victorian-local-government-grants-commission-act-1976","history":"/api/acts/victorian-local-government-grants-commission-act-1976/history","analysis":"/api/acts/victorian-local-government-grants-commission-act-1976/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/victorian-local-government-grants-commission-act-1976/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/victorian-local-government-grants-commission-act-1976/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/victorian-local-government-grants-commission-act-1976/documents"}}