Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1914

Overview

The Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1914, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serves as an amendment to the Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913. This Act was introduced to address a specific temporal limitation within the original Act, namely, the requirement for the Public Works Committee to report on its activities during each parliamentary session. By amending section fifteen, the Act extends the reporting period from the duration of the present session to a fixed date, specifically before the first day of January 1915, thereby ensuring that the Committee has a defined timeframe to complete and present its reports. The policy objective of this amendment is to provide clarity and consistency in the reporting requirements of the Public Works Committee, facilitating more effective oversight and accountability.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1914 applies to the amendments specified within its provisions, specifically modifying section fifteen of the Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913. This Act is of Commonwealth jurisdiction, thereby extending its reach across the national territory of Australia. It applies to the Commonwealth Public Works Committee and any related entities or individuals involved in public works projects governed by the amended legislation. The amendment effectively changes the time frame for the completion of certain public works projects from being limited to the present parliamentary session to extending until the first day of January 1915. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the text of this Act, and it does not mention any subordinate instruments extending or restricting its application.

Key Provisions

The Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1914 (C1914A00032) amends the Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913 by modifying Section 15. Specifically, Section 2 of the 1914 Act omits the phrase "during the present session" from subsection (1) of Section 15 of the 1913 Act, and replaces it with "before the first day of January One thousand nine hundred and fifteen." This change extends the time frame for certain activities or approvals that were previously limited to the current parliamentary session, now allowing them to occur up until the specified date. The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties or entities it governs involve adhering to the amended timeline provided in Section 15. The amendment essentially broadens the scope of permissible actions by removing the constraint of the current parliamentary session. This change implies that entities involved in public works must ensure their activities align with the new deadline, which is now fixed as 1 January 1915, rather than being tied to the session's duration. Failure to comply with the requirements or deadlines set forth by the Act may result in various consequences. Although the specific penalties or consequences are not detailed within the provided text of the 1914 Act, breaches of public works legislation typically result in administrative, civil, or criminal penalties depending on the severity and nature of the breach. The penalties could range from fines to more severe sanctions if the breach leads to significant public harm or financial loss. It is important to note that the exact penalties would be further delineated in the relevant sections of the 1913 Act or in associated regulations or subsidiary legislation.