Committee of Public Accounts Act 1917

Overview

The Committee of Public Accounts Act 1917 was enacted to address the issue of the timing for the appointment of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts during the Seventh Parliament of the Commonwealth. This Act was introduced to provide a legal framework for the appointment of this committee at a specific point during the second session of the Seventh Parliament. The policy objective, as stated in the Act, was to ensure the timely establishment of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts to facilitate effective oversight and scrutiny of public accounts and expenditures. Enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Act specifies that the Joint Committee of Public Accounts may be appointed during the second session of the Seventh Parliament, thereby amending the provisions of the Committee of Public Accounts Act 1913.

Scope and Application

The Committee of Public Accounts Act 1917 applies to the establishment and operation of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically during the Seventh Parliament. This Act serves to facilitate the appointment of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts during the second session of the Seventh Parliament, thereby overriding provisions in the Committee of Public Accounts Act 1913 that would otherwise restrict the timing of such appointments. This legislation ensures that the Joint Committee can be established as soon as practicable after the commencement of the Act, thus maintaining oversight and scrutiny of public accounts in a timely manner. The Act is limited to the specific context of the Seventh Parliament and does not extend to other Parliaments or periods.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Committee of Public Accounts Act 1917 are section 1 and section 2. Section 1 allows the Act to be cited as the Committee of Public Accounts Act 1917, providing a formal title for the legislation. Section 2 is the key provision that enables the appointment of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts during the Seventh Parliament of the Commonwealth. It stipulates that the Joint Committee of Public Accounts can be appointed during the second session of that Parliament and must be done as soon as practicable after the commencement of this Act. The Act imposes specific obligations on the relevant parties, primarily focusing on the timely appointment of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts. Under section 2, there is a clear requirement that the appointment must occur during the second session of the Seventh Parliament of the Commonwealth. This ensures that the oversight function of the Joint Committee is established in a timely manner, allowing for effective scrutiny of public accounts and expenditures. There are no explicit provisions in the Act detailing offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches. However, the importance of adhering to the stipulated timelines and requirements underscores the significance of compliance. Failure to appoint the Joint Committee as soon as practicable after the commencement of this Act might lead to questions about adherence to parliamentary procedures and potential implications for the governance and oversight functions within the Parliament. Nonetheless, the Act itself does not enumerate specific penalties or consequences for non-compliance.