Advance to the Finance Minister – section 11 of Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2000-2001 (No. 19 of 2000-2001)

Overview

The Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2000-2001, enacted on 30 May 2001 by the Commonwealth Parliament, serves to allocate funds for the Commonwealth's expenditure and operations for the specified financial year. This Act was introduced to address the need for a structured and legal framework for the allocation and control of public funds, ensuring transparency and accountability in government spending. The Act empowers the Finance Minister to authorise additional appropriations to meet unforeseen or increased requirements, thereby providing flexibility in managing the budget within the constraints of the financial year. The policy objective behind this Act is to ensure that the government can efficiently and effectively meet its obligations and service delivery requirements while maintaining fiscal discipline and public trust. Under the authority granted by section 11 of the Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2000-2001, Phillip Prior, the Branch Manager of the Commonwealth Financial Reporting Unit, has determined an increase in appropriations for the Department of Finance and Administration. This increase, amounting to $13,193,220, is designated for administered expenses under Outcome 2, aimed at improving and ensuring more efficient government operations. This adjustment reflects a response to specific fiscal needs identified within the financial year, aligning with the overarching goal of the Act to facilitate the responsive and responsible management of public funds.

Scope and Application

The Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2000-2001, as amended by the legislative instrument F2007B00790, provides for the adjustment of appropriations for the Department of Finance and Administration. Specifically, Section 11 of this Act authorises the Finance Minister to alter appropriations, and in this instance, Phillip Prior, Branch Manager of the Commonwealth Financial Reporting Unit within the Budget Group of the Department of Finance and Administration, has exercised this authority. The legislation applies to the appropriation item "Administered Expenses – Outcome 2: Improved and more efficient government operations," increasing it by $13,193,220. This adjustment is specific to the Commonwealth jurisdiction and is not extended to state or territory entities. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and its application is confined to the appropriation item and agency specified. While the Act itself sets out the adjustments, subordinate instruments may further detail or extend the application of these appropriations within the framework of the Act.

Key Provisions

The main operative section of this legislative instrument, section 11 of the Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2000-2001, provides the authority for the determination and adjustment of appropriation items. In this instance, Phillip Prior, the Branch Manager of the Commonwealth Financial Reporting Unit in the Budget Group of the Department of Finance and Administration, exercises this authority to increase an appropriation item for the Department of Finance and Administration by a specific amount. The appropriation item in question pertains to administered expenses related to Outcome 2, which aims to improve and enhance the efficiency of government operations. The increase is detailed in Column 3 of the provided table, with the appropriation item itself listed in Column 1 and the agency in Column 2. The obligations imposed by this legislative instrument on the parties involved are clear and specific. Phillip Prior, as the Branch Manager, must ensure that the appropriation item is adjusted in accordance with the provisions of section 11 of the Appropriation Act. The Department of Finance and Administration is required to facilitate this adjustment and ensure that the additional funds are allocated appropriately within the context of Outcome 2. This involves updating financial records, reporting mechanisms, and any other relevant documentation to reflect the new appropriation amount. Furthermore, any subsequent financial planning and budgeting processes must take this adjustment into account to ensure compliance with the legislative requirements. In terms of potential offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance, the legislative instrument itself does not explicitly outline these. However, any breach of the appropriation provisions or failure to adhere to the requirements specified by the Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2000-2001 could potentially lead to legal repercussions. Such breaches might be subject to internal departmental audits, investigations by the Commonwealth Auditor-General, or other oversight bodies. While specific penalties are not detailed in this particular legislative instrument, general penalties for breaches of appropriation acts could include financial penalties, sanctions, or disciplinary actions against individuals responsible for the non-compliance. The severity of these penalties would depend on the nature and extent of the breach, as well as the applicable legal framework governing financial management within the Australian government.