Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1915-16

Overview

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1915-16 was enacted in 1918 by the Parliament of Australia. This Act was introduced to address the need for additional funding beyond what was initially allocated in the budget for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1916. The primary objective was to ensure that the Commonwealth could complete essential works and building projects across various departments, including Home Affairs, Defence, the Navy, External Affairs, and Trade and Customs, as outlined in the schedule attached to the Act. The Act provides a detailed appropriation of £16,972 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, specifying the allocation to different departments for activities such as the establishment of the Federal Capital in Canberra, military works, naval bases, lighthouses, and other infrastructure projects.

Scope and Application

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1915-16 applies to the allocation and appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the service of the year ended the thirtieth day of June 1916. This Act specifically directs the appropriation of a sum of £16,972.2 for various purposes as outlined in the Schedule. The appropriation is under the control of different departments, including the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Defence (Military), Department of the Navy, Department of External Affairs, and Department of Trade and Customs. The allocated funds are intended for specific projects such as the establishment of the Federal Capital in Canberra, military and naval works, construction of lighthouses, and infrastructure projects across various states and territories. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and the appropriation is to be administered in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Schedule.

Key Provisions

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1915-16 (s. 2) allocates a sum of £16,972.2 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the year ending 30th June 1916 for specific works and buildings. This appropriation is to be used for the purposes outlined in the schedule of the Act, which details the allocation of funds across various departments, including Home Affairs, Defence, Navy, External Affairs, and Trade and Customs. Each department has specific allocations for projects such as the establishment of the Federal Capital in Canberra, improvements to military districts, naval bases, and the construction of lighthouses, among others. The Act imposes obligations on the respective departments to ensure that the allocated funds are used strictly for the purposes outlined in the schedule. The Department of Home Affairs, for instance, must use its allocation for projects like the establishment of the Federal Capital and improvements to military districts. Similarly, the Department of Defence must allocate its funds for military infrastructure and equipment, while the Department of the Navy is responsible for naval works and vessel construction. The Department of External Affairs and the Department of Trade and Customs must also ensure that their allocations are used for projects such as roads and bridges in the Northern Territory and the construction and maintenance of lighthouses. Breaches of the Act, where funds are not used as specified, could lead to legal consequences. While the Act does not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance, misallocation of funds could result in financial discrepancies that might be subject to audit and potential legal action. The Act's primary focus is on ensuring transparency and accountability in the allocation and use of public funds for specific government projects.