Queensland Grant (Bundaberg Irrigation Works) Act 1974

Overview

The Queensland Grant (Bundaberg Irrigation Works) Act 1974 was enacted to amend the Queensland Grant (Bundaberg Irrigation Works) Act 1970. The 1974 Act was introduced to address the need for updated financial provisions and contract thresholds for the Bundaberg Irrigation Works project. This Act was passed by the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of Australia, aiming to ensure that the financial assistance provided is adequate for the ongoing development of the irrigation infrastructure. The policy objective of this legislation is to facilitate the necessary improvements and expansions of the Bundaberg Irrigation Works by adjusting the financial support and contract expenditure limits.

Scope and Application

The Queensland Grant (Bundaberg Irrigation Works) Act 1974 applies to the financial assistance granted for the Bundaberg Irrigation Works, amending the 1970 Act to update the amount of the grant and modify the conditions under which expenditure on the works can be authorised. The Act applies to contracts for the irrigation works, ensuring that any contract providing for expenditure exceeding specified thresholds requires the approval of the Minister. The Act operates within the state of Queensland, as indicated by its jurisdictional focus on the Bundaberg Irrigation Works, a specific regional project. There are no exclusions or exemptions explicitly stated in the provided excerpt, and the application of the Act is further defined through its amendments to the Principal Act, indicating that subordinate instruments may extend or restrict its application as necessary.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Queensland Grant (Bundaberg Irrigation Works) Act 1974 (C2004A00171) provide for amendments to the Queensland Grant (Bundaberg Irrigation Works) Act 1970. Specifically, Section 3 increases the financial assistance grant from $12,800,000 to $17,200,000. Section 4 modifies the conditions under which contracts for expenditure exceeding $500,000 can be entered into prior to the commencement of this Act, and $200,000 for contracts entered into on or after the commencement of this Act, unless approved by the Minister. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties involved are primarily concerned with financial oversight and contract management. The Act necessitates that any contracts entered into for the expenditure of the specified sums must adhere to the new thresholds and approval requirements as outlined. Specifically, Section 4 stipulates that contracts providing for expenditure of more than $500,000 before the commencement date of this Act, and more than $200,000 after the commencement, must have the approval of the Minister. This introduces a layer of accountability and oversight to ensure that significant financial commitments are appropriately vetted and authorised. The consequences for breaching the provisions of this Act are not explicitly stated within the provided text. However, under general legislative principles, breaches of provisions concerning financial oversight and contractual obligations could lead to various civil or criminal penalties, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. These could include fines, legal action for damages, or other civil remedies, as well as potential criminal charges if the breach is deemed to be of a serious nature. The specific penalties would be determined in accordance with the broader legislative framework governing such matters in Australia.