Appropriation (Works and Services) Act (No. 2) 1950-51

Overview

The Appropriation (Works and Services) Act (No. 2) 1950-51 was enacted to provide additional funds for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1951, aimed at supporting various works and services that require capital expenditure. This Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia, comprising the King, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. The primary objective of the Act is to authorize the appropriation of £11,468,000 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for specified purposes, which include funding for departments such as Works and Housing, Civil Aviation, Shipping and Transport, and Immigration, as well as for business undertakings like Commonwealth Railways and the Postmaster-General's Department, and the territories of the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. The Act specifies that the funds are to be issued by the Treasurer and applied towards the approved supply for the stated financial year, ensuring that the allocation is transparent and accounted for from the beginning of the fiscal year.

Scope and Application

The Appropriation (Works and Services) Act (No. 2) 1950-51 is a Commonwealth statute enacted to allocate and apply a specific sum from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the financial year ending 30 June 1951. This Act allows the Treasurer to issue and apply £11,468,000 for making good the supply granted by His Majesty for the specified financial year. The funds are allocated for additions, new works, and other services involving capital expenditure, as detailed in the Act’s schedule. This allocation includes specific appropriations for various departments and services, such as the Department of Works and Housing, Department of Civil Aviation, Department of Shipping and Transport, and Department of Immigration, as well as business undertakings like Commonwealth Railways and the Postmaster-General’s Department. Additionally, it allocates funds for the territories of the Commonwealth, specifically the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. The Act applies nationally across Australia and comes into operation upon receiving Royal Assent. The scope of the Act is confined to the appropriation of funds for the specified purposes and does not extend beyond the financial year mentioned.

Key Provisions

The Appropriation (Works and Services) Act (No. 2) 1950-51 (sections 1-4) authorises the appropriation of £11,468,000 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the financial year ending 30th June 1951. The sum is allocated for specific works, services, and capital expenditures across various departments and business undertakings as outlined in the schedule to the Act. The funds are to be applied towards making good the supply granted to His Majesty and are deemed to have been appropriated from 1st July 1950. The Act imposes clear obligations on the Treasurer to issue the appropriated funds and apply them strictly towards the specified purposes outlined in the schedule. This includes ensuring that expenditures are within the allocated amounts for each department and service, and that they adhere to the purposes for which the funds were granted. The Treasurer must ensure that all allocations are used efficiently and effectively to meet the designated objectives for the financial year. For breaches of the Act, there are potential civil and criminal consequences, although specific penalties are not detailed in the Act itself. Typically, misapplication of funds or unauthorised expenditure could lead to disciplinary actions, financial penalties, or legal proceedings against the individuals or entities responsible. Given the substantial amount involved, violations could also attract significant scrutiny and potential legal ramifications.