International Monetary Agreements Act 1974

Administered by Department of the Treasury

Legislation au C2004A00081 Not in force Act

Legislation content

International Monetary Agreements Act 1974

No. 22, 1974

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date: 10 July 2024

Includes amendments: Act No. 67, 2024

Registered: 22 July 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the International Monetary Agreements Act 1974 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 10 July 2024 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Definitions

4 Subscription for capital stock of Bank

5 Issue of promissory notes

6 Appropriation

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

An Act to authorize Australia to Subscribe for Additional Shares of the Capital Stock of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

1  Short title

  This Act may be cited as the International Monetary Agreements Act 1974.

2  Commencement

  This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

3  Definitions

  In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:

Bank means the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

United States dollar means a dollar in the currency of the United States of America of the weight and fineness that was in effect on 1 July 1944.

4  Subscription for capital stock of Bank

 (1) The Treasurer may, on behalf of Australia, make an agreement or agreements with the Bank providing for the purchase by Australia of 341 additional shares of the capital stock of the Bank at a price per share that is the equivalent of 100,000 United States dollars.

 (2) Subject to this Act, an agreement so made may contain such terms and conditions as the Treasurer determines.

5  Issue of promissory notes

 (1) To the extent to which the Bank is prepared to accept promissory notes from Australia in lieu of any payment that Australia is required to make to the Bank in pursuance of an agreement made under this Act, the Treasurer may, on behalf of Australia, execute and issue to the Bank promissory notes.

 (2) A promissory note issued under subsection (1):

 (a) shall be payable to the Bank;

 (b) shall be nonnegotiable and noninterestbearing; and

 (c) shall be payable at its par value on demand.

6  Appropriation

  There may be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly, the moneys necessary for the purpose of making any payment that is to be made by Australia:

 (a) in pursuance of an agreement made under this Act; or

 (b) under a promissory note issued under this Act.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/subsubparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Act

Number and year

Assent

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

International Monetary Agreements Act 1974

22, 1974

29 July 1974

29 July 1974 (s 2)

 

Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering Better Financial Outcomes and Other Measures) Act 2024

67, 2024

9 July 2024

Sch 4 (item 28): 10 July 2024 (s 2(1) item 8)

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s 3.....................

am No 67, 2024

 

Overview

The International Monetary Agreements Act 1974 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to authorise the Australian government to subscribe for additional shares of the capital stock of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, commonly known as the World Bank. This legislation allows the Treasurer to enter into agreements with the World Bank for the purchase of 341 additional shares at a specified price. The Act also provides for the issuance of promissory notes in lieu of payments and the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover these financial obligations. The policy objective of the Act is to facilitate Australia's participation in international financial initiatives by enabling it to contribute to the capital of the World Bank, thereby supporting global economic stability and development. The Act came into operation on 29 July 1974, the day it received Royal Assent, and has since been subject to amendments, including those made by the Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering Better Financial Outcomes and Other Measures) Act 2024. This amendment, which came into effect on 10 July 2024, is part of a broader legislative effort to update and refine Australia's financial and economic governance frameworks. The Act continues to play a crucial role in Australia's engagement with international financial institutions, ensuring that the country can effectively contribute to and benefit from global economic cooperation.

Scope and Application

The International Monetary Agreements Act 1974 authorises the Treasurer to enter into agreements on behalf of Australia for the purchase of additional shares of the capital stock of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) at a specified price. This Act applies specifically to the Commonwealth of Australia and its authority to engage in financial transactions with the IBRD. The Act allows for the issuance of promissory notes in lieu of payments to the IBRD, which must be non-negotiable, non-interest-bearing, and payable at par value on demand. The Act also provides for the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover payments required under agreements or promissory notes issued under the Act. The Act is limited in its scope to the financial arrangements with the IBRD and does not extend to other entities or transactions outside of these parameters. The Act came into operation on the day it received the Royal Assent and has been subject to amendments, including those detailed in the Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering Better Financial Outcomes and Other Measures) Act 2024. The compilation of the Act, as presented, includes all amendments in force on the compilation date, with uncommenced amendments noted but not incorporated into the text of the Act.

Key Provisions

The International Monetary Agreements Act 1974 (C2004A00081) (the Act) authorises Australia to subscribe for additional shares of the capital stock of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the Bank). The main operative sections include the subscription for capital stock of the Bank (section 4), the issue of promissory notes (section 5), and the appropriation of funds (section 6). Under section 4(1), the Treasurer may make an agreement with the Bank for the purchase of 341 additional shares of the capital stock of the Bank at a price per share equivalent to 100,000 United States dollars. The agreement may include any terms and conditions determined by the Treasurer, subject to the Act (section 4(2)). Additionally, under section 5(1), the Treasurer may issue promissory notes to the Bank in lieu of any payment required under an agreement made under this Act. Such promissory notes must be non-negotiable, non-interest-bearing, and payable at par value on demand (section 5(2)). Finally, section 6 allows for the payment of necessary funds out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to meet any obligations arising from agreements made under the Act or promissory notes issued under it. The Act imposes specific obligations on the Treasurer in relation to the agreement and payment processes. The Treasurer must ensure that any agreement made with the Bank for the purchase of shares includes the terms and conditions as determined (section 4(2)). Furthermore, the Treasurer must ensure that any promissory notes issued are non-negotiable, non-interest-bearing, and payable on demand (section 5(2)). Moreover, the Act requires that funds necessary for the payment of obligations under the Act or promissory notes are appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (section 6). These obligations ensure that the processes for subscription and payment are carried out according to the provisions of the Act. The Act also outlines the consequences for any breaches of its provisions. Although the Act does not explicitly state specific offences or penalties for breach, contraventions of the Act may result in legal consequences under general Australian law. For instance, if the Treasurer fails to adhere to the terms of an agreement with the Bank or does not ensure the correct issuance of promissory notes, this could potentially lead to legal action for breach of statutory duty or other related legal consequences. Additionally, any mismanagement of funds appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund could result in penalties under relevant financial management and accountability laws. The maximum penalties for such breaches would depend on the specific legal provisions under which the action is taken.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
International Trade Law
Finance & Banking Law
Instrument
Act
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Commencement Provisions
Licensing & Registration

Interactions

Authorises

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.