Radium Appropriation Act 1928

Overview

The Radium Appropriation Act 1928 was enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to address the need for the Commonwealth to fund the purchase of radium, an essential material for various medical and scientific purposes during that era. This legislation was necessary to ensure the availability of radium within Australia, facilitating its use in critical areas such as cancer treatment and research. The Act appropriates a sum of One hundred thousand pounds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund specifically for the acquisition of radium, thereby directly addressing the identified gap in securing this vital resource. The policy objective underlying this Act is to provide the necessary financial means for the Commonwealth to support medical and scientific advancements through the procurement of radium.

Scope and Application

The Radium Appropriation Act 1928 applies to the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the specific purpose of purchasing radium. The Act authorises the Commonwealth to allocate and disburse the sum of One hundred thousand pounds for this purpose. It applies to the Commonwealth government, particularly to the entities responsible for managing and distributing funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Act does not detail specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but it is implicitly limited to the financial allocation for radium purchase. The jurisdictional reach of this Act is federal, applying throughout the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act itself does not extend its application through subordinate instruments but provides the legislative foundation for the specified appropriation.

Key Provisions

The Radium Appropriation Act 1928 (section 1) serves as the legal foundation for the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, specifically for the purchase of radium. Section 2 of the Act details that the sum of One hundred thousand pounds is to be allocated for this purpose. The appropriation is made effective from the date of assent, which is 2nd April, 1928, as stated in the preamble. Under this Act, the primary obligation is to ensure that the specified amount of One hundred thousand pounds is made available from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and is used strictly for the purchase of radium. This obligation is a clear directive that the funds are to be utilised for the intended purpose without deviation. The Act also imposes a duty on the relevant authorities to manage and disburse these funds in accordance with the legislative mandate, ensuring transparency and accountability in the financial process. Breaches of the provisions set forth in the Act could potentially lead to legal consequences, although the Act does not explicitly detail the offences or penalties for non-compliance. It is understood, however, that failure to adhere to the appropriation directives could result in civil or criminal liability, depending on the nature and extent of the breach. The specific consequences would need to be determined in the context of broader legal principles and any relevant case law interpreting similar provisions in other Acts.