Public Works Committee Act 1972

Overview

The Public Works Committee Act 1972 is an amending Act introduced to address the need to adjust the financial limitations on the Public Works Committee's annual expenditure as set out in the original Public Works Committee Act 1969. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, the Act specifically seeks to increase the cap on the Committee's annual spending from twenty thousand dollars to thirty thousand dollars, reflecting changes in economic conditions and the scope of public works. The purpose of this amendment is to ensure that the Committee has adequate financial resources to carry out its functions effectively within the fiscal year. The Act was assented to by the Queen on 9 June 1972 and came into operation on the same day, immediately updating the financial parameters outlined in the original Act. This legislative change was necessary to accommodate the evolving requirements of public infrastructure and maintenance projects, thereby allowing the Public Works Committee to better meet its obligations under the expanded budgetary framework.

Scope and Application

The Public Works Committee Act 1972, as amended, applies to the operations and financial management of the Public Works Committee established under the Public Works Committee Act 1969. This Act specifically alters the annual expenditure limit set out in section 36 of the original Act, increasing it from twenty thousand dollars to thirty thousand dollars. It pertains to the conduct and transactions of the Committee within the Commonwealth jurisdiction, ensuring that the modifications to financial limitations are observed by those managing the Committee's funds. The Act does not specify any exclusions or exemptions and operates nationally within the Commonwealth, applying uniformly across all areas under its legislative authority. Subordinate instruments may be used to further define or implement the provisions of this Act, although no such instruments are mentioned within the text provided.

Key Provisions

The Public Works Committee Act 1972 (section 1) modifies section 36 of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 (section 3). The amended act will be referred to as the Public Works Committee Act 1969–1972 (section 1(2)). This Act will come into effect on the day it receives Royal Assent (section 2). The primary change made by this Act is the amendment to the annual expenditure limit specified in section 36 of the original Act, increasing it from Twenty thousand dollars to Thirty thousand dollars (section 3). The Act imposes certain obligations on the Public Works Committee. Most notably, it mandates that the committee must ensure that the total annual expenditure does not exceed the new limit of Thirty thousand dollars (section 3). This requirement is intended to provide greater flexibility in the management of funds while ensuring that the committee remains within the bounds of the authorised budget. Failure to comply with the expenditure limits set out in the Act could lead to various consequences. While the Act does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, breaches of such financial regulations can typically result in civil or criminal penalties under other relevant legislation. In the context of public administration and financial management, such breaches may also lead to administrative sanctions, including reprimands or other disciplinary actions against the responsible officers. The exact nature and severity of these penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and any applicable laws at the time of the breach.