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Royal Commission on National Insurance

Royal Commission on national insurance · National Insurance Royal Commission · Millen Royal Commission

7 September 1923 – 5 October 1927

A commission of members of Parliament, chaired by Senator John Millen, that inquired into a contributory national insurance scheme covering sickness, invalidity, maternity, old age, unemployment and destitution.

How it came into existence

Appointed by Letters Patent dated 7 September 1923 by the Bruce–Page government, which had announced in its 1923 budget an inquiry into national insurance in relation to old age, health and unemployment. Senator John Millen was chairman; the other members were Senators J. F. Guthrie and A. McDougall and W. G. Mahony, A. E. Green, J. A. J. Hunter and J. Francis of the House of Representatives.

Changes during its life

  1. 10 June 1925First progress report (casual sickness, permanent invalidity, maternity, old age) laid before Parliament.
  2. 2 March 1927Second progress report (unemployment) and third progress report (destitute allowances) laid before Parliament.

How it ended

Its fourth and final report, on membership, finance and administration, was presented to Parliament on 5 October 1927, ending the commission. The government's National Insurance Bill of 1928, based on its work, lapsed at the 1928 election.

Main functions

  • Insurance against casual sickness, permanent invalidity, maternity and old age
  • Unemployment insurance
  • Destitute allowances
  • Membership, finance and administration of a national insurance scheme

Lineage

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Sources