APPROPRIATION (URBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT) ACT 1976
No. 142 of 1976
An Act to appropriate Moneys out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the purpose of Urban Public Transport.
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen, and the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—
Short title.
1. This Act may be cited as the Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Act 1976.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Appropriation.
3. For the purposes of the agreement referred to in section 3 of the States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Act 1974, there may be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is hereby appropriated accordingly, the sum of $20,000,000 in addition to the sums appropriated by that Act and the Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Act 1974.
Overview
The Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Act 1976 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to address the need for additional funding for urban public transport. This Act provides an appropriation of $20,000,000 out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, in addition to the funds allocated under the States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Act 1974 and the Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Act 1974. The policy objective of this legislation is to ensure adequate financial resources are available to support urban public transport initiatives, thereby enhancing accessibility and efficiency within urban areas. The Act was designed to be effective immediately upon receiving Royal Assent, ensuring that the necessary funds are promptly available for the designated purpose.
Scope and Application
The Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Act 1976 applies to the appropriation of funds for urban public transport purposes, as specified in the agreement under the States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Act 1974. This Act provides an additional appropriation of $20,000,000 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, supplementing the sums already appropriated by the States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Act 1974 and the previous Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Act 1974. The Act is intended to support the funding of urban public transport initiatives across Australia, thereby impacting entities and individuals involved in the operation and maintenance of public transport systems within urban areas. While the Act itself outlines the appropriation of funds, its primary application is directed towards ensuring adequate financial support for urban public transport as agreed upon in relevant legislative frameworks. The geographic reach of the Act is national, applying across all states and territories within Australia, and it does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within its text. The Act’s provisions can be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments, which may provide specific guidelines or conditions for the allocation and use of the appropriated funds.
Key Provisions
The Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Act 1976 (section 3) designates a specific sum of money, $20,000,000, to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for urban public transport purposes. This appropriation is in addition to any sums already allocated under the States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Act 1974 and the Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Act 1974, reinforcing the commitment to urban public transport funding.
The Act imposes clear financial obligations on the government, specifically requiring the allocation of the specified funds for urban public transport. It ensures that the financial resources are directed towards the agreed purposes under the States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Act 1974, thereby maintaining transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. This legislative framework mandates that the funds be utilised effectively to support and enhance urban public transport systems.
Under this Act, any misuse or misappropriation of the allocated funds could result in serious consequences. While the Act itself does not detail specific offences or penalties, it is understood that breaches of public finance management could attract legal scrutiny under broader financial administration laws. Penalties for such breaches could include fines and other civil or criminal sanctions, reflecting the importance of proper financial stewardship in public expenditure.
In summary, the Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Act 1976 outlines the appropriation of $20,000,000 for urban public transport, mandates its use according to the relevant agreements, and implicitly acknowledges the potential for legal consequences in the event of improper use of the allocated funds. This ensures that the financial resources are directed towards their intended purpose, supporting the development and maintenance of urban public transport infrastructure.