Overview

The legislative instrument F2007B00772, enacted in 1999-2000, pertains to the Appropriation Act (No. 3) 1999-2000 and serves to address the need for adjustments in budgetary allocations within specific government agencies. Pursuant to Section 10 of this Act, Phillip Prior, an SES Band 2 official from the Budget Group within the Department of Finance and Administration, has the authority to increase appropriation items for designated agencies. In this instance, the appropriation item for "Departmental Outputs" under the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs has been increased by $15,000,000. This adjustment is intended to meet the evolving demands and operational requirements of the agency in question, ensuring that adequate financial resources are available to support its activities. The policy objective here is to facilitate the dynamic management of government finances in response to operational needs and priorities.

Scope and Application

Section 10 of the Appropriation Act (No. 3) 1999-2000 provides the authority for the allocation of appropriations to various departments and agencies within the Australian government. In this particular legislative instrument, Phillip Prior, an SES Band 2 official from the Budget Group in the Department of Finance and Administration, exercises this power to increase an appropriation item for a specific agency. The appropriation item in question pertains to "Departmental Outputs" for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, with an increase of $15,000,000. This adjustment is authorised under the provision of Section 10, indicating a reallocation of funds to support the department’s activities, likely reflecting changes in budget priorities or operational needs. The legislative instrument serves to formally document the modification in budgetary allocations, ensuring compliance with the overarching framework established by the Appropriation Act.

Key Provisions

Section 10 of the Appropriation Act (No. 3) 1999-2000 outlines the process through which the Finance Minister can adjust the appropriation of funds allocated to various government agencies. Specifically, this legislative instrument, numbered F2007B00772, allows for an increase in appropriations for certain departments. In this instance, Phillip Prior, SES Band 2, from the Budget Group at the Department of Finance and Administration, has determined an increase in funds for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. The appropriation item, identified in Column 1 of the legislative instrument, pertains to 'Departmental Outputs' and is subject to an increase by the amount specified in Column 3, which is $15,000,000. This adjustment is effective from the date of the instrument, 28 June 2000. The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, primarily stipulating that the Finance Minister must review and approve the adjustment of appropriations as outlined in the legislative instrument. The Budget Group within the Department of Finance and Administration must provide the necessary documentation and justification for the proposed increase. The department must ensure that the appropriation is within the legal and budgetary frameworks and that the funds are to be used for the specified purposes. Additionally, the Act requires that the changes be communicated to relevant stakeholders and recorded in official financial records. Breaching the provisions of the Appropriation Act (No. 3) 1999-2000 can lead to various civil and criminal consequences. If the appropriation adjustments are not made in accordance with the Act, it could result in misuse of public funds, which is a serious offence. The penalties for such breaches can include fines and imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and can vary, but they are designed to ensure compliance with budgetary processes and to maintain public trust in government financial management. Furthermore, any failure to adhere to the Act's requirements can also lead to disciplinary actions against the responsible officials, including potential termination of employment.