Appropriation Act (No. 2) 1945-46

Overview

The Appropriation Act (No. 2) 1945–46 was enacted to address the urgent need for additional financial resources to cover the service year ending 30th June 1946. The Act was introduced to provide an additional sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the specified financial year. It was assented to on 29th June 1946 by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia. The primary objective of this Act is to facilitate the issuance and application of £20,000,000 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated for the purposes and services outlined in the Schedule to the Act. This funding was particularly aimed at supporting defence and war services from 1939 to 1945, with allocations to be determined by supplementary appropriation.

Scope and Application

The Appropriation Act (No. 2) 1945–46 applies to the financial year ending on the thirtieth day of June, One thousand nine hundred and forty-six, and grants an additional sum of Twenty million pounds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be applied towards making good the supply for that period. This Act serves to allocate and appropriate funds for the various services and departments outlined in the Schedule, specifically for defence and war services from 1939 to 1945, as well as other services not covered by business undertakings or territories of the Commonwealth. The Act is geographically and jurisdictionally applicable throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, commencing on the day it receives Royal Assent. The Act does not explicitly outline exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but the allocation of funds is subject to the conditions set forth in the Schedule and any subsequent supplementary appropriations. The Act may also extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments, which would detail the specific allocation of the granted funds.

Key Provisions

The Appropriation Act (No. 2) 1945–46 (sections 1-4) is a legislative instrument designed to grant and apply a specified sum from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the financial year ending June 30, 1946. The Act allows the Treasurer to issue £20,000,000 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the purpose of making good the supply granted to His Majesty for the specified financial year. The sum granted by this Act is appropriated as from July 1, 1945, for the services outlined in the Schedule to the Act. The obligations imposed by this Act primarily concern the Treasurer's role in issuing and applying the funds. Under section 3, the Treasurer has the authority to issue the specified sum and apply it towards the supply granted for the financial year. This appropriation is deemed to have been made as from July 1, 1945, and is intended for the services detailed in the Schedule, specifically relating to Defence and War (1939-45) Services. Regarding the consequences of non-compliance or breach of this Act, it is important to note that the Act does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or specific consequences for breaches. However, given its nature as an appropriation act, any failure to properly manage or allocate the granted funds could potentially lead to financial mismanagement issues. While the Act itself does not specify penalties, breaches of financial management regulations in the public sector can result in legal and administrative consequences, including inquiries, audits, and possible disciplinary actions against public officials involved in the mismanagement of funds. The maximum penalties, if applicable, would likely be determined by other relevant financial management and public service legislation.