Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1917

Overview

The Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1917 was enacted to address the need for the appointment of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works during the Second Session of the Seventh Parliament of the Commonwealth. This legislation was passed to provide specific authority for the establishment of this committee at a particular stage in the parliamentary timeline, deviating from the standard provisions set out in the Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913-1914. Enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Act ensures the timely formation of the committee to facilitate its role in overseeing public works and related matters. The underlying policy objective is to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of parliamentary oversight in public works during the specified parliamentary session.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1917 applies specifically to the appointment of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works during the Second Session of the Seventh Parliament of the Commonwealth. It supersedes the provisions in section three of the Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913-1914, ensuring that this particular committee can be appointed at the specified time within the parliamentary session. The Act operates within the jurisdictional reach of the Commonwealth, governing the parliamentary procedures and the appointment processes for this committee, without extending its application to other entities or industries outside of this scope. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in the Act, and it does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1917 (section 1) provides the legal framework for the establishment of a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works during the Seventh Parliament of the Commonwealth. Section 2 of the Act specifically mandates that the committee, which was previously established under the Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913-1914, can be appointed during the Second Session of the Seventh Parliament, and this appointment must occur as soon as practicable after the Act's commencement. Under this Act, the key obligation is the appointment of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, which must be executed promptly upon the Act's commencement. This requirement overrides any conflicting provisions in the 1913-1914 Act, ensuring that the committee is set up within the specified timeframe. The Act does not detail the committee's functions or composition, but it does establish the necessity of its formation and operation during the Seventh Parliament. In terms of consequences, the Act itself does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or other civil or criminal repercussions for failure to comply with its provisions. However, the importance of the committee's prompt establishment implies that non-compliance could potentially lead to procedural or governance issues within the Parliament. The absence of explicit penalties in the Act suggests that any breaches might be addressed through parliamentary procedures or other legislative means rather than through specific fines or imprisonment. The Act is quite concise, focusing primarily on the establishment of the committee without delving into the specifics of its functions or the repercussions of non-compliance. Its primary focus is on ensuring the timely appointment of the committee to address public works matters during the Seventh Parliament.