Advance to the Finance Minister – section 11 of Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2001-2002 (No. 12 of 2001-2002)

Overview

The legislative instrument F2007B00870, titled "Advance to the Finance Minister – Section 11 of Appropriation Act (No.1) 2001-2002", was enacted to provide a mechanism for the adjustment of appropriations within the fiscal year 2001-2002. This legislative instrument, issued by Jim Kerwin, Branch Manager of the Commonwealth Financial Reporting Unit, Budget Group, Department of Finance and Administration, was made under the authority of Section 11 of the Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2001-2002. The primary problem this instrument addresses is the need to reallocate funds within the financial year to ensure that agencies can meet their obligations effectively. This reallocation aims to support Australia's national interests by enhancing international security, economic performance, and global cooperation, as outlined in the policy objective of the appropriation item. The total amount of 1,659,746 dollars has been increased for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to facilitate these objectives.

Scope and Application

The Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2001-2002, as amended by the legislative instrument F2007B00870, pertains specifically to the allocation of funds to government agencies. In this case, the Act authorises an increase in the appropriation for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, amounting to $1,659,746, intended for administered expenses under Outcome 1, which focuses on protecting and advancing Australia’s national interests through international security, economic performance, and global cooperation. This legislative instrument, executed by Jim Kerwin, Branch Manager of the Commonwealth Financial Reporting Unit, Budget Group, Department of Finance and Administration, ensures that the specified funds are allocated for the stated purpose, thereby extending the application of the Act to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. No exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are noted in the instrument itself, and its jurisdictional reach is limited to the appropriation of funds as determined by the Commonwealth.

Key Provisions

Section 11 of the Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2001-2002 provides the authority for the determination of increased appropriations for specific agencies. In this instance, the determination specifies an increase for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade by $1,659,746 for the administered expenses associated with Outcome 1, which is described as Australia's national interests being protected and advanced through contributions to international security, national economic and trade performance, and global cooperation. This increase is intended to support these specific outcomes for the fiscal year 2001-2002. The obligations imposed by this legislative instrument require the Branch Manager of the Commonwealth Financial Reporting Unit, Budget Group, Department of Finance and Administration to act within the powers conferred by Section 11. The Branch Manager must ensure that the appropriation item is correctly identified and the amount accurately specified, as outlined in the table provided. This process involves verifying that the appropriation item listed in Column 1 of the table corresponds to the agency in Column 2 and that the amount to be increased is correctly listed in Column 3. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned for breach in this particular legislative instrument. However, any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 11 could potentially lead to administrative or financial irregularities, which may attract scrutiny from relevant oversight bodies or result in financial penalties if discrepancies are found in the appropriation process. The primary focus of this instrument is to legally and formally adjust the budget allocation as determined necessary for the specified fiscal year.