Advance to the Finance Minister – section 12 of Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2002-2003 (No. 1 of 2002-2003)

Overview

The Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2002-2003 was enacted to address the need for specific payments to the states and territories as part of the Commonwealth's effective government spending and taxation arrangements. This legislation was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to provide a legal framework for the allocation of funds to various government agencies and entities for their operations and specific initiatives. The policy objective behind this Act is to ensure that there are adequate financial resources available for the efficient functioning of the government and to support the implementation of government programs and services. This legislative instrument, F2007B00887, provides the necessary details for increasing specific appropriation items for the relevant agencies, as determined by the Branch Manager of the Commonwealth Financial Reporting Unit, Department of Finance and Administration, in accordance with Section 12 of the Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2002-2003.

Scope and Application

The legislative instrument F2007B00887, pursuant to Section 12 of the Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2002-2003, outlines an advance to the Finance Minister for specific appropriations. The instrument applies to the appropriation item listed in Column 1, which includes the Department of the Treasury and Specific Payments to the States and Territories, as outlined in Columns 2 and 3 of the document. The appropriation amount for the Department of the Treasury is increased by $13,352,958, while the appropriation for Specific Payments to the States and Territories is increased by an unspecified amount. This legislative instrument operates within the Commonwealth jurisdiction, affecting federal agencies and their budgetary allocations. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the text, and any further application details or restrictions would be determined through subordinate instruments or related legislation. The instrument aims to ensure that the financial resources are adequately allocated to meet the government's spending and taxation requirements as outlined in the 2002-2003 budget.

Key Provisions

Section 12 of the Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2002-2003 allows the Finance Minister to adjust appropriations for government spending, with Section 12 specifically enabling an increase in appropriations for certain agencies. In this instance, the appropriation for the Department of the Treasury is to be increased by $13,352,958 under the heading of "Specific Payments to the States and Territories" to facilitate effective government spending and taxation arrangements. This adjustment is authorised by Jim Kerwin, the Branch Manager of the Commonwealth Financial Reporting Unit, Budget Group, Department of Finance and Administration. This legislative instrument serves as a formal notification and authorisation of the appropriation increase, ensuring that funds are allocated as needed for specified purposes. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. The Finance Minister, through Section 12, has the authority to increase appropriations as required to meet government spending needs. In this case, Jim Kerwin, as the Branch Manager of the Commonwealth Financial Reporting Unit, must ensure that the appropriation increase is accurately calculated and documented. Additionally, the Department of the Treasury must utilise the increased funds for the specified purpose of effective government spending and taxation arrangements. These obligations are designed to maintain transparency and accountability in the allocation of government resources. Breaches of the provisions in this legislative instrument can lead to various consequences. Failure to adhere to the specified appropriation amounts or misuse of funds could result in legal and administrative repercussions. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument itself, breaches of appropriation acts generally could lead to disciplinary action against public officials, financial audits, and potential criminal charges if fraud or misappropriation of funds is involved. The maximum penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as outlined in other relevant legislation governing public sector financial management.