Appropriation Act 1964-65

Overview

The Appropriation Act 1964–65 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to appropriate funds out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the ordinary annual services of the Government for the fiscal year ending on 30 June 1965. This Act, along with the Supply Act 1964–65, authorised the issuance and application of a total sum of £1,094,117,000 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for various government departments and services, defence, and territories. The primary purpose of this legislation was to provide the financial resources necessary for the Commonwealth Government to carry out its functions for the specified financial year, ensuring that the government could meet its obligations and deliver services to the Australian public. The enactment of this Act, receiving Royal Assent on 3 November 1964, reflects the Commonwealth Government's commitment to allocating appropriate funds to support its operations and services for the fiscal year in question. This includes funding for essential services such as health, housing, immigration, and defence, as well as support for territories and government business undertakings. The policy objective was to ensure that the government could effectively manage its finances and provide necessary services to the nation within the approved budget.

Scope and Application

The Appropriation Act 1964–65 is a piece of legislation that authorises the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the ordinary annual services of the Commonwealth Government for the financial year ending 30 June 1965. The Act applies to the expenditure of the Commonwealth Government, specifically to the allocation and application of the authorised funds for the specified services as outlined in the Second Schedule. The Act applies to all departments and services of the Commonwealth Government, including Defence Services, Business Undertakings, and Territories of the Commonwealth. Geographically, the Act applies nationally across Australia, including its territories, as it pertains to the appropriation of funds for services rendered across the country. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds specified within the Act itself, though the application of these funds is strictly governed by the allocations detailed in the Schedules. The Act’s application may be further defined or restricted through subordinate instruments, such as regulations or guidelines issued under the authority of the Act.

Key Provisions

The Appropriation Act 1964–65 (section 1) sets out the allocation of funds for the ordinary annual services of the government for the financial year ending June 30, 1965. The Act allows the Treasurer to issue and apply the sum of £670,413,000 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for these services (section 3). The Act also appropriates a total sum of £1,094,117,000, as detailed in the First Schedule, for the services listed in the Second Schedule, starting from July 1, 1964 (section 4). These appropriations cover various government departments and services, including defence, health, housing, and trade, as well as business undertakings and territories. The Act imposes specific obligations on the Treasurer to issue the authorised funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the purposes outlined in the Second Schedule (section 3). It also mandates that the sums authorised by the Supply Act 1964–65 and this Act be deemed appropriated for the services specified in the Second Schedule from the commencement of the financial year on July 1, 1964 (section 4). The Second Schedule provides a detailed breakdown of the allocated funds for each department and service, ensuring that the appropriated sums are applied as intended. While the Appropriation Act 1964–65 does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches, it operates within the broader framework of Australian fiscal law. Any misuse or unauthorised application of the appropriated funds could potentially lead to legal scrutiny and administrative consequences. The Act's primary focus is on the allocation and application of funds, leaving the enforcement of compliance to related legislation and administrative processes.