161Relief of families by public institutions

#### 161 Relief of families by public institutions (1) Where, during the absence of any seaman on a voyage, the wife or husband, de facto partner, or any of the children or step‑children, of the seaman becomes chargeable to or obtains relief from any public body or institution for the relief of destitute persons in Australia, that institution shall be entitled to be reimbursed, out of the wages of the seaman earned during the voyage, any sums properly expended during the seaman’s absence in the maintenance of those members of the seaman’s family or any of them, so that the sums do not exceed the following proportions of the seaman’s wages, that is to say: (a) If only one of those members is chargeable or obtains relief, one‑half of the wages; (b) If 2 or more of those members are chargeable or obtain relief, two‑thirds of the wages. (2) If, during the absence of any seaman, any sums have been paid by the owner of his or her ship to or on behalf of any such member as aforesaid, under an allotment note made by the seaman in favour of the member, any claim for reimbursement shall be limited to the excess (if any) of the proportion of the wages hereinbefore mentioned over the sums so paid.