Advance to the Finance Minister – section 11 of Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2000-2001 (No. 6 of 2000-2001)

Overview

The Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2000-2001, enacted on 22 January 2001, addresses the need for additional funding to support environmental protection and conservation, particularly concerning matters of national significance. This Act, passed by the Parliament of Australia, aims to allocate specific payments to states and territories to enhance environmental outcomes as outlined in the policy objectives. The Act was introduced to fill a funding gap for environmental initiatives and ensure that the necessary resources are available to protect and conserve the nation's environment. This legislative instrument, issued under section 11 of the Appropriation Act, specifies the appropriation increase for the Department of the Environment and Heritage, reflecting the government's commitment to environmental stewardship.

Scope and Application

The Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2000-2001, through section 11, grants the authority to the Finance Minister to adjust the appropriation items allocated to specific government agencies, as demonstrated by the legislative instrument F2007B00780. In this particular case, Phillip Prior, a member of the Department of Finance and Administration, has exercised this authority to increase the appropriation item for the Department of the Environment and Heritage by $1,300,000. This adjustment is aimed at bolstering the department's capacity to protect and conserve the environment, particularly in areas of national environmental significance. The Act operates within the Commonwealth jurisdiction, applying to the specified department and its budgetary allocations, with no explicit exclusions or thresholds mentioned in the provided text. Subordinate instruments may further extend or restrict the application of this appropriation adjustment, ensuring alignment with broader budgetary and policy objectives.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislative instrument, as outlined in section 11 of the Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2000-2001, involve the reallocation of budgetary funds within the specified appropriation item for the Department of the Environment and Heritage. This section empowers Phillip Prior, who holds a specific designation within the Department of Finance and Administration, to adjust the allocation of funds as listed in the provided table (section 11). The appropriation item in question is specifically for the Department of the Environment and Heritage, and the adjustment involves an increase of $1,300,000. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act are straightforward. Phillip Prior, in his capacity as SES Band 2, Budget Group, Department of Finance and Administration, must ensure that the financial adjustments are accurately documented and implemented as specified. The appropriation item must be correctly modified to reflect the increased funding, which is intended to support the environmental protection and conservation activities outlined in the Outcome 1 of the Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2000-2001. This increase is meant to bolster the department's efforts in safeguarding the environment, particularly in areas deemed of national environmental significance. Breaches of this legislation could lead to various consequences, both civil and criminal, depending on the nature and intent of the non-compliance. While specific offences are not detailed in this legislative instrument, general principles of public administration and financial management would apply. If the reallocation of funds is not conducted in accordance with the Act, it could result in financial mismanagement or improper use of public funds. Such breaches could attract penalties under other related legislation, including potential fines or imprisonment for criminal offences. The exact penalties would be determined by the relevant laws governing financial administration and public sector integrity, which may include significant monetary fines and imprisonment terms for serious breaches.