Governor-General's Establishment Act 1902

Overview

The Governor-General’s Establishment Act 1902 was enacted to address the need for additional funding to cover the expenses of the Governor-General’s establishment during the visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to Australia. This Act was passed by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, with the primary policy objective of ensuring that the Governor-General's establishment could adequately manage the logistical and ceremonial requirements associated with the royal visit. The Act appropriates an extraordinary allowance of Ten thousand pounds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover these expenses, thereby providing the necessary financial support for the event.

Scope and Application

The Governor-General’s Establishment Act 1902 is a piece of legislation that pertains specifically to the financial support of the Governor-General's establishment in the context of the visit to Australia of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. This Act applies to the Governor-General, a key constitutional role within the Australian government, and allocates a specific extraordinary allowance of Ten thousand pounds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover expenses related to the visit. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of the Act is national, as it concerns the federal government’s provision of financial support to the Governor-General, who is the representative of the Crown in Australia. The Act does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, nor does it extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments. Its purpose is confined to the appropriation of funds for this particular event, and it does not broadly affect other persons, entities, industries, or conduct outside the scope of the Governor-General’s expenses during the specified visit.

Key Provisions

The Governor-General's Establishment Act 1902 (sections 1-2) is a brief piece of legislation that provides for an extraordinary allowance to the Governor-General to assist in defraying the expenses associated with the visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to Australia. The Act establishes that this Act may be cited as the Governor-General’s Establishment Act 1902 (s.1), and it specifies that an extraordinary allowance of Ten thousand pounds (s.2) shall be paid to the Governor-General from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover the expenses of the Governor-General's establishment during the visit. This appropriation of funds is made specifically for that purpose. Under the Act, the primary obligation is for the payment of the specified allowance to the Governor-General to support the expenses related to the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (s.2). The Consolidated Revenue Fund is to be used for this appropriation, ensuring that the financial resources are directed towards the intended purpose as outlined in the Act. The Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches. However, given its nature and purpose, any failure to comply with the appropriation of funds as specified could potentially be subject to general legislative compliance and accountability measures. For instance, misappropriating public funds or not fulfilling financial obligations as directed by statute could lead to scrutiny under relevant financial management laws or accountability frameworks. However, the Act itself does not detail specific penalties or enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance.