Coronation Celebration Act 1902

Overview

The Coronation Celebration Act 1902 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to allocate funds from the Consolidated Revenue for the purpose of covering expenses associated with the celebration of King Edward VII's Coronation. This Act was a response to the need for a national contribution to commemorate the coronation of the new monarch, reflecting the young nation's participation in significant British events. The policy objective of the Act was to ensure that the Commonwealth could appropriately represent itself in the celebrations, thereby fostering a sense of unity and shared identity among Australians. The Act authorises the appropriation of specified sums, including funding for a contingent of Commonwealth mounted troops, the illumination of Commonwealth buildings in state capitals, and the expenses related to the Prime Minister's representation at the coronation events. This legislative measure highlights the early efforts of the Australian government to engage in ceremonial activities that were significant to the British Empire, while also establishing a precedent for national expenditure on commemorative events.

Scope and Application

The Coronation Celebration Act 1902 is a specific piece of Australian legislation enacted to provide funding for the celebration of His Majesty's Coronation. This Act applies to the Commonwealth level, appropriating funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover various expenses related to the coronation celebration. The Act identifies particular expenditures, such as the costs for a contingent of Commonwealth mounted troops, the illumination of Commonwealth buildings in the state capitals, and the expenses incurred by the Prime Minister's representation, all detailed in the accompanying Schedule. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of the Act is limited to the Commonwealth, ensuring that the allocated funds are used for federal celebrations and activities. The Act does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the outlined expenses in the Schedule. It does not extend its application through subordinate instruments but rather focuses solely on the allocation of the specified sums for the intended purpose. This Act is a historical financial measure directly tied to the specific event of the Coronation celebration and does not have ongoing application or relevance beyond the immediate context of that event.

Key Provisions

The Coronation Celebration Act 1902 (sections 1 and 2) establishes the framework for the allocation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover expenses associated with the celebration of His Majesty's Coronation. Specifically, section 2 appropriates various sums, outlined in the attached schedule, to cover expenses such as the contingent of Commonwealth mounted troops (£16,000), the illumination of Commonwealth buildings in state capitals (£5,500), and the representation of the Commonwealth by the Prime Minister, including all associated expenses (£1,850). The Act is intended to formalise the financial commitment necessary for these celebratory events. Under the Coronation Celebration Act 1902, the primary obligation lies in ensuring the specified funds are allocated and utilised strictly for the purposes outlined in the Act. The money appropriated under section 2 must be disbursed to cover the expenses detailed in the schedule, such as troop deployments, lighting of buildings, and the logistical support for the Prime Minister's representation. The Act implies that these funds should be managed with transparency and accountability, ensuring they are used effectively for the intended celebrations. The Coronation Celebration Act 1902 does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches of the Act. However, any misuse or misallocation of the appropriated funds could potentially result in broader legal ramifications under general financial management and public trust laws. Such breaches might lead to administrative or civil consequences, depending on the severity and nature of the misuse, although the Act itself does not specify these penalties. It is implied that the integrity and proper use of public funds should be upheld to avoid any legal repercussions.