Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1921

Overview

The Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1921, enacted by the Parliament of Australia in 1921, serves as an amendment to the Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913-1914. This legislative amendment was introduced to address the need for continuity in the review and sanctioning of public works projects even when the House of Representatives is not in session, thereby ensuring that essential infrastructure and public service initiatives can progress without unnecessary delays. The Act allows the Governor-General to refer proposed works to the Committee for investigation and reporting during periods when the House of Representatives is adjourned or not in session, thereby maintaining the legislative oversight and accountability required for public expenditure.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1921 amends the earlier Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913-1914 by introducing a provision that allows the Governor-General to refer any proposed public work to the Committee for inquiry and report when the House of Representatives is not in session, is adjourned for a period of one month or more, or for an indefinite period. This amendment extends the scope of the Committee's involvement in the sanctioning of public works beyond the usual parliamentary sessions, ensuring continued oversight and evaluation of proposed works even during parliamentary recesses or adjournments. The Act applies to the Commonwealth government and its entities involved in public works, providing a mechanism for the continuation of work approval processes outside the regular parliamentary sitting periods. The jurisdictional reach of the Act is national, as it pertains to the Commonwealth level of government, thereby impacting public works across Australia. The Act does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and its application is not extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1921 (C1921A00019) amends Section fifteen of the Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913-1914. Specifically, it introduces a new sub-section (7) which allows the Governor-General to refer any proposed work to the Committee for inquiry and report to the House of Representatives during periods when the House is not in session or is adjourned for one month or more, or for an indefinite period. Once the Committee submits its report, the House of Representatives must address the matter in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sub-section. This Act imposes obligations on the Governor-General, the Committee, and the House of Representatives. The Governor-General has the authority to refer proposed works to the Committee under certain conditions, ensuring that the legislative process for sanctioning public works can continue uninterrupted even when the House of Representatives is not in session. The Committee is then tasked with conducting an inquiry and providing a report to the House of Representatives, which must subsequently deal with the matter as stipulated in the Act. The House of Representatives is required to review the Committee's report and make decisions on the proposed works in line with the Act's provisions. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences for breach mentioned within the text of this Act. The Act primarily focuses on procedural amendments and does not detail specific sanctions for non-compliance with its provisions. However, the failure to adhere to the procedures outlined could potentially lead to legal challenges or other consequences under broader legislative or administrative law principles, though these are not specified within the text itself.