Appropriation (Works and Services) Act (No. 2) 1956-57

Overview

The Appropriation (Works and Services) Act (No. 2) 1956-57 was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia in 1957 to address the need for additional funding for works and services that involve capital expenditure for the financial year ending 30 June 1957. This Act was passed by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia. The primary objective of this legislation was to provide an additional appropriation of £2,139,000 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the service of the specified year, to be applied towards the specified purposes and services as outlined in the Act. This sum was to be deemed appropriated as from 1 July 1956, ensuring that funds were available for various government departments and services, including those of the Commonwealth territories, as well as business undertakings. The Act outlines the allocation of funds across various departments and services, ensuring that the necessary capital expenditure for infrastructure, equipment, and other services was met for the designated financial year. The policy objective was to facilitate the execution of essential government functions and services through the provision of adequate funding. The Act was designed to provide clarity and legal authority for the allocation and expenditure of public funds, ensuring that the government could carry out its obligations effectively.

Scope and Application

The Appropriation (Works and Services) Act (No. 2) 1956-57 applies to the allocation and application of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund by the Commonwealth of Australia for the financial year ending on the 30th day of June 1957. Specifically, the Act allows the Treasurer to issue and apply £2,139,000 for various capital works and services across different departments, business undertakings, and territories. The scope of this Act encompasses numerous departments such as Parliament, Prime Minister’s Department, Department of External Affairs, Department of Works, and many others, including business undertakings like the Postmaster-General's Department and territories like the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. This legislation does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within its text, implying that the funds are generally available for the purposes detailed in the Act. The application and interpretation of this Act may be further refined through subordinate instruments, though such extensions or restrictions are not outlined in the primary text.

Key Provisions

The Appropriation (Works and Services) Act (No. 2) 1956-57 (section 1) grants an additional sum of £2,139,000 to be applied for the service of the year ending 30 June 1957. This Act came into operation on the day it received Royal Assent (section 2). The sum is to be issued by the Treasurer from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (section 3) and is to be deemed to have been appropriated as from 1 July 1956 for the purposes and services outlined in the Schedule (section 4). The appropriation covers various departments, business undertakings, and territories of the Commonwealth. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, it mandates the allocation of funds to specific departments and services, as detailed in the Schedule. These include Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Department, the Department of External Affairs, the Department of the Interior, and numerous others. Each department is assigned a specific amount to be used for various capital works and services, such as buildings, equipment, and infrastructure improvements. Additionally, business undertakings like the Postmaster-General’s Department and Broadcasting Services, as well as territories such as the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, are allocated funds for their respective projects and operations. The Act also includes provisions for specific uses within each department. For instance, the Department of Works is tasked with acquiring sites and buildings, while the Department of Civil Aviation must procure aircraft, launches, vehicles, engines, and equipment. The Department of Repatriation is directed to contribute towards the cost of extending Lemnos Mental Hospital in Western Australia. Moreover, the Australian Atomic Energy Commission is allocated funds for expenditures under the Atomic Energy Act 1953. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act may result in legal consequences. Although the Act does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, breaches of appropriation laws typically result in serious administrative and possibly criminal penalties. These may include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity and intent of the breach. In cases where public funds are misused or misappropriated, the consequences can be particularly severe, reflecting the gravity of such actions in the administration of public resources.