Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1932

Overview

The Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1932 was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to address a specific administrative need during the economic hardships of the early 1930s. The Act suspended the operation of the Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913–1921, likely in response to changing economic conditions and the need to reassess public works projects and funding allocations. This suspension was intended to provide flexibility in managing public expenditure and resources during a period of financial constraint. The Act allows for the suspension to be lifted by a resolution passed by both Houses of the Parliament, providing a mechanism for resuming the activities of the Committee should circumstances change. The primary objective of the Act was to temporarily alter the governance structure of public works in response to the economic climate of the time.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1932 is a legislative measure that pertains to the suspension of the Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913–1921. This Act applies to the Commonwealth Public Works Committee and its operations as previously established under the earlier Act. The jurisdiction of this Act is at the national level, impacting the entire Commonwealth of Australia. The Act provides a mechanism for either House of the Parliament to resolve and thereby cease the suspension of the earlier Act, requiring a resolution passed by both Houses to effectively end the suspension. There are no specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds identified within the text of this Act; it primarily serves to grant Parliament the authority to reinstate the earlier Act through legislative resolution. Additionally, the scope and application of the Act may be further defined or extended through subordinate instruments, although the primary text does not provide explicit details on this aspect.

Key Provisions

The key operative section of this Act, Section 2(1), mandates the suspension of the Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913–1921. This means that any powers, duties, or functions previously assigned to the Committee under the earlier Act are temporarily halted. The Act itself does not specify the reasons for this suspension but provides a mechanism for its eventual resumption. Sections 2(2) and 2(3) allow for the suspension to be lifted if both Houses of Parliament pass a resolution to that effect. This ensures that the suspension is not permanent and can be reconsidered and reversed by the legislative body if needed. The Act imposes specific obligations and requirements on the Parliament of Australia. Firstly, it requires both the House of Representatives and the Senate to formally resolve any decision to cease the suspension of the Commonwealth Public Works Committee Act 1913–1921. This means that any action to restore the Committee's operations must be deliberated and agreed upon by a majority vote in both legislative chambers. The Act does not place any obligations on other parties or entities outside of the Parliament, focusing solely on the legislative process for resuming the suspended Act. There are no explicit provisions within the Act detailing offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches of its provisions. Given the nature of the Act, which pertains to the suspension and potential resumption of another legislative body's functions, it does not create specific criminal or civil liabilities. The primary focus of the Act is on the procedural requirements for altering the status of the suspended Act, rather than on penalising non-compliance with its own terms. The absence of punitive measures reflects the Act's purpose to provide a framework for parliamentary decision-making regarding the suspended Act.