Advance to the Finance Minister – section 11 of Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2001-2002 (No. 25 of 2001-2002)

Overview

The Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2001-2002, enacted by the Parliament of Australia on 25 June 2002, is an Act that facilitates the allocation of funds for government services and activities for the specified financial year. This legislative instrument, F2007B00886, aims to address specific financial requirements by adjusting appropriations to ensure the effective implementation of government programs. In this instance, it provides an additional appropriation of $4,868,882 to the Department of Health and Ageing under the administered expenses for Outcome 6, which focuses on reducing the impact of hearing loss among eligible clients and lowering the incidence of hearing loss in the broader community. The policy objective of this adjustment is to support health initiatives that target hearing loss, ensuring that the Department of Health and Ageing has the necessary resources to meet its objectives effectively.

Scope and Application

The Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2001-2002, under Section 11, authorises the Finance Minister to adjust appropriations allocated to specific agencies within the Commonwealth government. In this instance, the legislation pertains to the Department of Health and Ageing, which is tasked with reducing the consequences of hearing loss among eligible clients and mitigating the incidence of hearing loss within the broader community. The appropriation item in question is specifically for administered expenses associated with Outcome 6, and the adjustment increases the allocated amount by $4,868,882. This adjustment ensures that the Department of Health and Ageing has the necessary resources to implement and enhance its programs and initiatives aimed at addressing hearing loss. The legislation operates within the Commonwealth jurisdiction, impacting the financial allocations at a federal level and ensuring that the appropriated funds are appropriately allocated to meet the health objectives outlined in Outcome 6.

Key Provisions

Section 11 of the Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2001-2002, as applied by the legislative instrument F2007B00886, allows for the adjustment of appropriations for certain agencies. In this specific instance, the Branch Manager of the Commonwealth Financial Reporting Unit, Budget Group, Department of Finance and Administration, has determined an increase in the appropriation for the Department of Health and Ageing. The item in question pertains to the 'Administered Expenses – Outcome 6', which aims to reduce the impact of hearing loss for eligible clients and decrease the incidence of hearing loss in the general population. The appropriation has been increased by $4,868,882 to facilitate these objectives. The Act imposes certain obligations on the parties involved. The Branch Manager, through this legislative instrument, has the authority to alter the appropriation amounts allocated to specific agencies, ensuring that funds are correctly allocated to meet the outlined outcomes. The Department of Health and Ageing, as the recipient of the increased appropriation, is required to utilise these funds for activities directly related to reducing hearing loss impacts and incidence as specified in Outcome 6. Proper financial management and reporting are expected to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of these funds. Violations of the obligations imposed by the Act can result in various consequences. While the specific legislative instrument does not detail specific offences or penalties, breaches of appropriation regulations typically lead to financial discrepancies and mismanagement of public funds. In more severe cases, such breaches may result in disciplinary action against the responsible officials, including potential criminal charges for fraud or misappropriation of funds. The penalties can vary, but they may include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity and intent behind the breach.