National Insurance Commission
1938 – 1939
Commission set up to establish and run a compulsory contributory national insurance scheme that would have given employees sickness and medical benefits and old-age, invalidity, widows' and orphans' pensions.
How it came into existence
Created in 1938 under the National Health and Pensions Insurance Act 1938, introduced by the Treasurer, R. G. Casey, on the advice of the British insurance administrator Walter Kinnear. It was a new body with no predecessor.
Legislation: National Health and Pensions Insurance Act 1938
How it ended
The scheme was deferred in March 1939 amid opposition from doctors, friendly societies and others (Robert Menzies resigned from the Lyons ministry over the deferral) and never began; the commission was wound up, and age and invalid pensions remained with the Commissioner of Pensions.
Main functions
- Preparation of a national health and pensions insurance scheme
- Registration of insured employees
- Collection of employer and employee contributions (planned)
- Payment of sickness, disability and pension benefits (planned)
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of the Treasury.
Lineage
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Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are uncertain. Corrections are welcome.