Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1940-41

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THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

APPROPRIATION (WORKS AND BUILDINGS) 1940-41.

No. 98 of 1940.

An Act to grant and apply a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the service of the year ending the thirtieth day of June, One thousand nine hundred and forty-one for the purposes of Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c., and to appropriate such sum.

[Assented to 18th December, 1940.]

Preamble.

BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, for the purpose of appropriating the grant originated in the House of Representatives, as follows :—

Short title.

1. This Act may be cited as the Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1940–41.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

Issue and application of £3,421,000.

3. The Treasurer may issue out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and apply towards making good the supply hereby granted to His Majesty for the service of the year ending the thirtieth day of June, One thousand nine hundred and forty-one the sum of Three million four hundred and twenty-one thousand pounds.

Appropriation.

4. The said sum granted by this Act is appropriated for the purposes and services expressed in the Schedule to this Act in relation to the financial year ending the thirtieth day of June, One thousand nine hundred and forty-one.

F.7966.—Price 8d.

Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c.

THE SCHEDULE. Sec. 4.

ABSTRACT.

Page Reference.	—	1940–41.	1939–40.		Increase on Expenditure, 1939–40.	Decrease on Expenditure, 1939–40.
Page Reference.	—	1940–41.	Vote.	Expenditure.	Increase on Expenditure, 1939–40.	Decrease on Expenditure, 1939–40.
		£	£	£	£	£
3	Part I.—Departments and Services—other than Business Undertakings and Territories of the Commonwealth	999,000	1,036,000	738,742	260,258	..
9	Part II.—Business Undertakings	1,326,000	1,446,000	1,442,569	..	116,569
11	Part III.—Territories of the Common-wealth	1,096,000	1,052,000	855,134	240,866	..
	TOTAL ADDITIONS, NEW WORKS, BUILDINGS, ETC.	3,421,000	3,534,000	3,036,445	384,555	..

Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c.

PART I.—Departments and Services—other than Business Undertakings and Territories of the Commonwealth.

SUMMARY.

Division Number.	—	1940–41.	1939–40.		Increase on Expenditure, 1939–40.	Decrease on Expenditure, 1939–40.
Division Number.	—	1940–41.	Vote.	Expenditure.	Increase on Expenditure, 1939–40.	Decrease on Expenditure, 1939–40.
		£	£	£	£	£
1	PARLIAMENT..........	400	1,400	1,707	..	1,307
2–3	PRIME MINISTER’S DEP-ARTMENT	47,850	2,900	3,062	44,788	..
4–5	DEPARTMENT OF EXTE-RNAL AFFAIRS	9,200	50	48	9,152	..
6–7	DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY	40,650	4,950	63,821	..	23,171
8	ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT	48,000	125,000	92,918	..	44,918
9	DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR	101,500	279,400	211,663	..	110,163
10	WAR SERVICE HOMES COMMISSION	63,000	30,000	26,768	36,232	..
11–14	DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AVIATION	587,900	486,000	282,427	305,473	..
15	DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND CUSTOMS	6,900	12,000	8,890	..	1,990
16	DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH	34,800	20,000	11,633	23,167	..
17	DEPARTMENT OF REPAT-RIATION	38,000	50,000	21,537	16,463	..
18–19	DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE	20,800	24,300	14,268	6,532	..
	TOTAL PART I.....	999,000	1,036,000	738,742	260,258	..

Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c.

PART I.—Departments and Services—other than Business Undertakings and Territories of the Commonwealth.

PARLIAMENT.	1940–41.	1939–40.
Under Control of Department of the Interior.	1940–41.	Vote.	Expenditure.
Division No. 1.	£	£	£
1. Buildings, works, sites, fittings and furniture...........	400	1,400	1,707
PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTMENT.
Under Control of Department of the Prime Minister.
Division No. 2.
1. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research—Equipment for Industrial Chemistry Laboratory	15,000	..	..
Under Control of Department of the Interior.
Division No. 3.
1. Buildings, works, sites, fittings and furniture...........	32,850	2,900	3,062
Total Prime Minister’s Department......	47,850	2,900	3,062
DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS.
Under Control of Department of External Affairs.
Division No. 4.
1. High Commissioner for Canada—Purchase and equipment of official residence	9,000	..	..
Under Control of Department of the Interior.
Division No. 5.
1. Buildings, works, sites, fittings and furniture...........	200	50	48
Total Department of External Affairs.....	9,200	50	48
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY.
Under Control of Department of the Treasury.
Division No. 6.
1. Government Printing Office, Canberra—Purchase of machinery and additional equipment	800	2,600	2,598

Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c.

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY—continued.	1940–41.	1939–40.
Under Control of Department of the Interior.	1940–41.	Vote.	Expenditure.
Division No. 7.	£	£	£
1. Buildings, works, sites, fittings and furniture...........	39,850	2,350	61,223
Total Department of the Treasury.......	40,650	4,950	63,821
ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.
Under Control of Department of the Interior.
Division No. 8.
1. Buildings, works, sites, fittings and furniture...........	(a)48,000	125,000	92,918
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Under Control of Department of the Interior.
Division No. 9.
1. Expenditure under River Murray Waters Act 1915–1934...	32,750	85,000	46,000
2. Australian War Memorial, Canberra—Erection of—for payment to the credit of the War Memorial, Canberra, Trust Account	31,000	75,000	75,000
3. Commonwealth offices and other buildings—Architectural and engineering services	10,500	16,025	16,051
4. Governor-General’s establishments—Buildings, works, sites, fittings and furniture	3,500	53,700	48,208
5. Memorial at Canberra to His late Majesty King George V.— Erection	13,000	14,800	3,223
6. Fittings and furniture...........................	7,250	6,500	6,199
7. Plant and equipment—for payment to credit of Works Suspense Trust Account	3,500	..	..
Meteorological Buildings—Erection of and additions and alterations to	(b)	28,375	16,982
Total Department of the Interior........	101,500	279,400	211,663
WAR SERVICE HOMES COMMISSION.
Under Control of War Service Homes Commissioner.
Division No. 10.
1. Expenditure under War Service Homes Act 1918–1937—for payment to credit of the War Service Homes Trust Account	63,000	30,000	26,768

(a) Estimated further liability, £12,000. (b) Provided under Department of Air in 1940–41.

Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AVIATION.	1940–41.	1939–40.
INTERNAL SERVICES.	1940–41.	Vote.	Expenditure.
Under Control of Department of Civil Aviation.	£	£	£
Division No. 11.
1. Buildings and works—including grants to Councils towards cost of establishment and improvement of country aerodromes	11,800	12,000	5,506
2. Aeradio communication and direction-finding stations; power generation and distribution plant; direct current and audiofrequency control lines; automatic switching equipment; aerodrome and air route lighting equipment	87,335	41,468	41,468
3. Aircraft, engines, vehicles and equipment.............	8,500	5,400	2,847
Total Division No.11..............	107,635	58,868	49,821
Under Control of Department of the Interior.
Division No. 12.
1. Buildings, works, sites, fittings and furniture...........	443,085	366,406	185,236
Total Internal Services.............	550,720	425,274	235,057
EMPIRE AIR SERVICES.
Under Control of Department of Civil Aviation.
Division No. 13.
1. Aeradio communication and direction-finding stations; power generation and distribution plant; direct current and audiofrequency control lines; automatic switching equipment; aerodrome and air route lighting equipment—Singapore section	3,600	12,000	10,523
2. Launches and equipment for flying boat bases—Singapore section	650	4,800	1,460
3. Aeradio communication and direction-finding stations ; power generation and distribution plant; direct current and audio-frequency control lines ; automatic switching equipment ; aerodrome and air route lighting equipment— Trans-Tasman section	2,000	27,000	25,278
Total Division No. 13..............	6,250	43,800	37,261

Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c.

	1940–41.	1939–40.
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AVIATION—continued.	1940–41.	Vote.	Expenditure.
Under Control of Department of the Interior.	£	£	£
Division No. 14.
1. Buildings, works and sites, including shore bases and marine facilities, fittings and furniture—Singapore section	25,240	8,926	8,926
2. Buildings, works and sites, including shore bases and marine facilities, fittings and furniture—Trans-Tasman section	5,690	8,000	1,183
Total Division No. 14..............	30,930	16,926	10,109
Total Empire Air Services...........	37,180	60,726	47,370
Total Department of Civil Aviation...	587,900	486,000	282,427
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND CUSTOMS.
Under Control of Department of the Interior.
Division No. 15.
1. Buildings, works, sites, fittings, furniture and purchase of vessels	6,900	12,000	8,890
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
Under Control of Department of the Interior.
Division No. 16.
1. Buildings, works, sites, fittings, furniture and purchase of vessels	34,800	20,000	11,633
DEPARTMENT OF REPATRIATION.
Under Control of Department of the Interior.
Division No. 17.
1. Buildings, works, sites, fittings and furniture..........	(a) 38,000	50,000	21,537

(a) Estimated further liability, £10,040.

Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c.

	1940–41.	1939–40.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.	1940–41.	Vote.	Expenditure.
Under Control of Department of Commerce.	£	£	£
Division No. 18.
1. Lighthouse services—Installation of equipment.........	6,500	8,900	4,768
Under Control of Department of the Interior.
Division No. 19.
1. Buildings, works, sites, fittings and furniture...........	14,300	15,400	9,500
Total Department of Commerce.....	20,800	24,300	14,268
TOTAL PART I.—Departments and Services—other than Business Undertakings and Territories of the Commonwealth	999,000	1,036,000	738,742

Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c.

PART II.—Business Undertakings.

SUMMARY.

Division Number.	—	1940–41.	1939–40.		Increase on Expenditure, 1939–40.	Decrease on Expenditure, 1939–40.
Division Number.	—	1940–41.	Vote.	Expenditure.	Increase on Expenditure, 1939–40.	Decrease on Expenditure, 1939–40.
		£	£	£	£	£
20	COMMONWEALTH RAILWAYS	150,000	153,000	147,810	2,190	..
21	POSTMASTER-GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.............	1,176,000	1,293,000	1,294,759	..	118,759
	TOTAL PART II......	1,326,000	1,446,000	1,442,569	..	116,569

F.7966.—2

Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c.

PART II.—Business Undertakings.

COMMONWEALTH RAILWAYS.	1940–41.	1939–40.
	1940–41.	Vote.	Expenditure.
	£	£	£
Under Control of Department of the Interior.
Division No. 20.
1. Trans-Australia Railway........................	122,000	115,850	111,385
2. North Australia Railway.........................	2,000	3,600	3,562
3. Central Australia Railway........................	22,000	27,000	26,999
4. Australian Capital Territory Railway................	500	550	684
5. Port Augusta-Port Pirie Railway...................	3,500	6,000	5,180
Total Commonwealth Railways.......	150,000	153,000	147,810
POSTMASTER-GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.
Under Control of Postmaster-General’s Department and Department of the Interior.
Division No. 21.
1. Telephone exchange services.....................	809,000	934,000	875,005
2. Trunk line services............................	195,000	193,000	247,561
3. Telegraph and miscellaneous services................	26,000	35,000	47,078
4. National Broadcasting service.....................	17,000	8,500	2,615
5. Buildings, works, sites, fittings and furniture...........	(a)129,000	122,500	122,500
Total Postmaster-General’s Department..........	b1,176,000	1,293,000	1,294,759
TOTAL PART II.—Business Undertakings..........	1,326,000	1,446,000	1,442,569

(a) Estimated further liability, £690,000. (b) In addition £2,000,000 is provided under Loan Fund.

Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c.

PART III.—Territories of the Commonwealth.

SUMMARY.

Division Number.	—	1940–41.	1939–40.		Increase on Expenditure, 1939–40.	Decrease on Expenditure, 1939–40.
Division Number.	—	1940–41.	Vote.	Expenditure.	Increase on Expenditure, 1939–40.	Decrease on Expenditure, 1939–40.
		£	£	£	£	£
22–23	NORTHERN TERRITORY..........................	400,000	394,000	319,757	80,243	..
24–25	AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TER-RITORY................	696,000	658,000	535,377	160,623	..
	TOTAL PART III...........................	1,096,000	1,052,000	855,134	240,866	..

Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c.

PART III.—Territories of the Commonwealth.

NORTHERN TERRITORY.	1940–41.	1939–40.
Under Control of Department of the Interior.	1940–41.	Vote.	Expenditure.
Division No. 22.	£	£	£
1. Buildings, works, sites, fittings and furniture...........	(a)265,350	327,600	296,162
2. Developmental services—Construction of water supplies, roads and stock routes for pastoral purposes	36,000	36,000	11,635
3. Metalliferous mining—Construction of batteries.........	12,000	10,000	5,941
4. Plant and equipment—for payment to credit of Works Suspense Trust Account	14,650	..	..
Total Division No. 22.............	328,000	373,600	313,738
Division No. 23.
1. Department of Health—Buildings, works, fittings and furniture	(b) 72,000	20,400	6,019
Total Northern Territory...........	400,000	394,000	319,757
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY.
Under Control of Department of the Interior.
Division No. 24.
1. Architectural services, fittings and furniture............	409,840	540,100	295,467
2. Engineering services...........................	400,950	273,500	190,819
3. Forestry...................................	10,000	3,500	2,973
4. Sundry works and services.......................	8,844	6,200	2,489
5. Canberra Cemetery—Minor services—for payment to the credit of The Canberra Cemetery Trust Account	300	300	300
6. Plant and equipment—for payment to credit of Works Suspense Trust Account	9,500	..	..
7. Plant and equipment—for payment to credit of Australian Capital Territory Transport Trust Account	9,000	..	..
	848,434	823,600	492,048
Less amount estimated to remain unexpended at the close of the year	227,734	230,100	..
Total Division No. 24.............	(c)620,700	593,500	492,048
Division No. 24a.
1. Loans for Housing............................	..	40,000	40,000
Division No. 25.
1. Department of Health—Buildings, works, fittings and furniture	(d) 75,300	24,500	3,329
Total Australian Capital Territory.....	696,000	658,000	535,377
TOTAL PART III.—Territories of the Commonwealth......	1,096,000	1,052,000	855,134
TOTAL ADDITIONS, NEW WORKS, BUILDINGS, ETC...	3,421,000	3,534,000	3,036,445

(a) Estimated further liability, £237,900. (b) Estimated further liability, £75,000. (c) Estimated further liability £150 000 (d) Estimated further liability, £79,000.

By Authority : L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1940–41 was enacted to address the need for financial allocation for various public works and infrastructure projects across different departments and territories in Australia for the financial year ending June 30, 1941. This Act was passed by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that a sum of £3,421,000 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund was appropriated for specific purposes as outlined in the schedule to the Act. The enactment aimed to facilitate the execution of new works, buildings, and additions necessary for the effective functioning of government departments, business undertakings, and territories of the Commonwealth. The primary objective of this legislation was to provide a clear and authorised framework for the allocation and application of public funds towards essential infrastructure and service developments.

Scope and Application

The Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1940–41 pertains to the allocation and application of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the financial year ending on 30th June 1941. Specifically, this Act authorises the appropriation of £3,421,000 for the purposes of additions, new works, buildings, and related expenditures. The Act applies to various departments and services of the Commonwealth, excluding business undertakings and territories, as detailed in the Schedule. These include the Parliament, the Prime Minister's Department, the Department of External Affairs, the Department of the Treasury, the Attorney-General's Department, the Department of the Interior, the War Service Homes Commission, the Department of Civil Aviation, the Department of Trade and Customs, the Department of Health, the Department of Repatriation, and the Department of Commerce. Additionally, the Act covers business undertakings such as the Commonwealth Railways and the Postmaster-General’s Department, as well as the territories of the Commonwealth, namely the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. The Act's provisions extend to the specific allocations and expenditures for each department and service, as outlined in the detailed sections of the Schedule. Notably, the Act does not explicitly provide for exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but rather details the specific allocations for various works and buildings across different departments and territories.

Key Provisions

The Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1940–41 (section 1) is a legislative instrument that authorises the appropriation of a specific sum from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the financial year ending 30 June 1941. This Act was assented to on 18 December 1940 and came into operation on the same day (section 2). The primary purpose of this Act is to grant and apply the sum of £3,421,000 for various purposes related to additions, new works, buildings, and other services (sections 3 and 4). The Act imposes obligations on the Treasurer to issue and apply the appropriated sum towards the specified supply (section 3). The sum is to be used strictly for the purposes and services outlined in the schedule attached to the Act, which details the allocation of funds across various departments and services, business undertakings, and territories of the Commonwealth (section 4). In terms of legal consequences, the Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches. However, given the nature of appropriation legislation, non-compliance with the financial controls and allocations specified could potentially lead to administrative and financial scrutiny, as well as legal challenges related to the misuse of public funds. The precise legal consequences would depend on the specific circumstances of any breach and the applicable laws governing public finance and administration at the time.

Area of Law: Finance & Banking Law
Instrument: Act
Concepts: Commencement Provisions; Appropriation; Expenditure

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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