Appropriation Act (No. 2) 1964-65

Overview

The Appropriation Act (No. 2) 1964–65 was enacted to address the need for additional appropriations for the salaries of certain officers of the Public Service of the Commonwealth for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1965. This Act was assented to on 24 November 1964 by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia. The policy objective behind this Act was to adjust the financial allocations to ensure that the remuneration of specified public service officers reflects their roles and responsibilities adequately. This legislative action was crucial for maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the Commonwealth's public service by providing the necessary financial resources to compensate these officers appropriately.

Scope and Application

The Appropriation Act (No. 2) 1964–65 is a Commonwealth legislation that specifically addresses the appropriation of additional funds for the salaries of particular officers within the Public Service of the Commonwealth for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1965. This Act applies to designated officers listed in the schedule, including the Clerk of the Senate, Clerk of the House of Representatives, and various Secretaries and Directors-General across numerous departments such as Defence, Health, Housing, and Trade and Industry. The geographic reach of the Act is confined to the Commonwealth level, impacting federal public service officers. The Act does not authorise any salary increases for periods prior to 1 November 1964 and is operational from the date it receives Royal Assent. The Act’s effect is extended through the substitution and corresponding increase of appropriations as detailed in the Second Schedule to the Appropriation Act 1964–65.

Key Provisions

The Appropriation (No. 2) 1964–65 Act (section 3) primarily revises the amounts allocated for the salaries of certain officers in the Public Service of the Commonwealth for the financial year ending on 30 June 1965. Specifically, it substitutes the amounts listed in the Second Schedule of the Appropriation Act 1964–65 with new figures for the officers specified in the Schedule to this Act. This adjustment does not permit any salary increases to be backdated before 1 November 1964 (section 3(2)). The Act imposes several obligations on the relevant parties, most notably the financial responsibility for the specified salaries. The Commonwealth government is required to ensure the appropriated sums are paid to the officers listed in the Schedule. This obligation extends to the Treasury, which must facilitate the disbursement of these funds according to the provisions of the Act. Furthermore, the departments to which these officers belong must ensure that the officers' salaries are correctly calculated and paid in accordance with the new amounts specified. Violations of the provisions in this Act could result in various legal consequences. For instance, if the Treasury fails to disburse the funds as required, it could be seen as a breach of the Act's provisions, leading to potential administrative or legal scrutiny. However, the Act does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches. Typically, breaches of appropriation acts can lead to civil or criminal penalties depending on the nature and severity of the breach. For civil penalties, the government may face claims for non-payment or underpayment of salaries, which could result in litigation and financial compensation. Criminal penalties could potentially apply if the breach involves fraud or deliberate misappropriation of funds, though these are not detailed in the Act itself and would be subject to broader criminal law provisions.