Hearing Services and AGHS Reform Act 1997 (82 of 1997)

Part 2   Transitional provisions relating to the corporatisation of the Australian Government Health Service (AGHS)

Division 5   Miscellaneous

22   Compensation - constitutional safety-net

(1) If:

(a) apart from this section, the operation of this Part would result in the acquisition of property from a person otherwise than on just terms; and

(b) the acquisition would be invalid because of paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution;

the Commonwealth is liable to pay compensation of a reasonable amount to the person in respect of the acquisition.

(2) If the Commonwealth and the person do not agree on the amount of the compensation, the person may institute proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia for the recovery from the Commonwealth of such reasonable amount of compensation as the court determines.

(3) In this section:

acquisition of property has the same meaning as in paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution.

just terms has the same meaning as in paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution.