STATUTORY RULES.
1929. No. 112.
PAPUAN FINANCIAL REGULATIONS.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Papua Act 1905-1924 to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this twenty-first day of October, 1929.
STONEHAVEN
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
EARLE PAGE
Treasurer.
Papuan Financial Regulations.
(Statutory Rules, 1923, No. 74, as amended to this date.)
The Papuan Financial Regulations are amended by deleting Regulation 99 and inserting in its stead the following regulation:—
“99. (a) Officers responsible for the care and control of nonexpendable articles shall keep a record of the same in such form as the Treasurer may prescribe.
(b) Every such officer shall at such time or times and in such form as the Treasurer may prescribe but not less than once in each year furnish a return of such articles to the Head of his Department.
(c) Officers responsible for the care and control of expendable articles only shall keep records of the same and furnish returns, when the Lieutenant-Governor so directs.
(d) Every officer (and his subordinates) to whom any articles are entrusted shall use every care for their safe custody and preservation and may be held personally and pecuniarily responsible in respect of the same.
(e) Whenever any officer takes over from an officer responsible for the care and control of articles stock shall be taken by the outgoing officer and checked by the incoming officer both such officers signing an inventory (in such form as the Treasurer may prescribe) which shall be forwarded to the Head of the Department as soon as practicable; each of the said officers is to retain one copy of the said inventory.
(f) Should the outgoing officer leave before the incoming officer has taken over, the prescribed inventory shall be taken and sent to the Head of the Department certified by the outgoing officer only. The incoming officer shall upon taking over take an inventory and send it certified under his hand to the Head of the Department.
(g) If either the outgoing officer or the incoming officer fails to take the prescribed inventory such prescribed inventory as taken shall be taken to be correct and the value of any missing articles may be surcharged against the salary of the officer who failed to take the prescribed inventory.”
By Authority: H. J. Green, Government Printer, Canberra.
Overview
The Papuan Financial Regulations, enacted in 1929, were established under the Papua Act 1905-1924 to address the need for systematic financial management and control over nonexpendable and expendable articles within the administration of Papua. The Regulations were made by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, reflecting the overarching policy objective of ensuring accountability and efficiency in the management of government resources in Papua. This legislative instrument was designed to ensure that officers responsible for these articles maintain accurate records, submit periodic returns, and are held accountable for their safe custody and preservation. The Regulations underscore the importance of meticulous record-keeping and the personal responsibility of officers entrusted with these articles, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in financial administration.
Scope and Application
The Papuan Financial Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1929, No. 112, apply to officers responsible for the care and control of both nonexpendable and expendable articles within the jurisdiction of Papua. These regulations mandate that officers maintain precise records of the articles entrusted to their care, submitting annual returns as prescribed by the Treasurer or the Lieutenant-Governor, as appropriate. The regulations also impose personal responsibility on officers for the safe custody and preservation of these articles, with potential financial penalties for negligence. The geographic reach of these regulations is specific to the territory of Papua, as governed under the Papua Act 1905-1924. The regulations provide for detailed procedures in the transfer of responsibility for articles, including the signing of inventories by outgoing and incoming officers, and the consequences for failing to comply with these inventory procedures. While the regulations set out specific duties and responsibilities, they do not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, thus applying broadly to all relevant officers within the specified territory.
Key Provisions
The Papuan Financial Regulations, as amended, contain detailed provisions for the management of nonexpendable and expendable articles within the administrative framework of Papua. Section 99, in particular, lays out the requirements for the care, control, and record-keeping of these articles. Firstly, officers responsible for nonexpendable articles must maintain precise records of these items, formatted as prescribed by the Treasurer (99(a)). Additionally, these officers must submit annual returns of these articles to the Head of their Department (99(b)). For expendable articles, officers must also maintain records and submit returns, though the Lieutenant-Governor determines when such returns are necessary (99(c)). Importantly, every officer entrusted with articles must ensure their safe custody and preservation, and can be held personally and financially accountable for any neglect or loss (99(d)). Transitions of responsibility for these articles require detailed inventory checks between outgoing and incoming officers, who must sign and forward these inventories to the Head of the Department (99(e) and (f)). Failure to properly complete these inventories can result in financial penalties against the negligent officer (99(g)).
The Papuan Financial Regulations impose stringent obligations on officers responsible for both nonexpendable and expendable articles. These include the maintenance of accurate records and the submission of regular returns as directed by the Treasurer or the Lieutenant-Governor. The regulations also mandate that officers exercise diligent care in the custody and preservation of articles under their control. This duty extends to ensuring that proper inventory checks are conducted during transitions of responsibility, with both outgoing and incoming officers required to sign and forward these inventories. Officers are personally liable for any losses or damages to the articles they oversee, highlighting the importance of adherence to these record-keeping and reporting requirements.
Breaches of the Papuan Financial Regulations, particularly those outlined in Section 99, can lead to significant consequences. Officers who fail to maintain accurate records, submit timely returns, or conduct proper inventory checks may face personal and financial accountability. Specifically, the salary of an officer who neglects to complete the prescribed inventory may be surcharged for the value of any missing articles. This financial penalty underscores the serious nature of the obligations imposed by the Regulations and serves as a deterrent against non-compliance. Ensuring adherence to these requirements is crucial for maintaining accountability and integrity in the management of articles within the Papuan administrative framework.