Explanatory Statement
Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2003-04, Section 9 – Reduction of Appropriations Upon Request
The instrument to which this explanatory statement relates
This explanatory statement relates to an instrument (the instrument) entitled “Determination to Reduce Appropriation Upon Request”, dated 30 June 2005 and numbered 2 of 2004-2005.
The legislative authority under which the instrument is made
Section 9 of Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2003-04 enables the Finance Minister to make a determination reducing departmental appropriations in that Act, upon receipt of a written request from the Minister responsible or, in the case of an agency in the Finance portfolio, the Chief Executive.
The provision was included in Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2003-04 to enable excess departmental appropriation items, which do not automatically lapse, to be extinguished. Excess appropriation may arise where, for example:
- An amount is reclassified and appropriated again under another kind of appropriation;
- Efficiency savings result in a programme costing less than expected; and
- A programme under Government policy is abolished prior to the appropriation being expensed.
A determination issued by the Finance Minister pursuant to section 9 of Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2003-04 cannot reduce an appropriation item by more than the lesser of the amount requested by the responsible Minister or Chief Executive (as appropriate), and the balance of the appropriation item remaining in the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Purpose of the instrument
The instrument directs that departmental outputs appropriation for the Australian Federal Police in Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2003-04 be reduced by $14,400,000.
Background
On 8 June 2005, the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator the Hon Christopher Ellison, wrote to the Minister for Finance and Administration seeking a reduction of the Australian Federal Police’s departmental outputs appropriation in Appropriation Act (No.3) 2003-04 by $14,400,000. The appropriation was originally provided to cover expenditure in relation to the deployment of Australian Federal Police officers to Papua New Guinea under the Enhanced Cooperation Programme, which was expected to occur in early 2004. However, because of delays in the finalisation of the enabling Treaty and legislation, the amount of $14,400,000 was identified as being in excess to the Australian Federal Police’s requirements.
Notes on the instrument
The instrument provides that the appropriation item in column 1 for the Australian Federal Police be reduced in response to a request made by the Minister in column 4 by the amount listed in column 6.