Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1917-18

Overview

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1917–18 was enacted to address the financial needs arising from the conclusion of the First World War, facilitating the allocation of additional funds for various infrastructure and building projects across Australia. This Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia, as signified by the assent from the King's Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. The primary objective of this legislation was to appropriate a further sum from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1918, specifically for the purposes of additions, new works, buildings, and related expenses. The allocated funds were distributed among various government departments, including Works and Railways, Treasury, Defence (Military), Navy, and Home and Territories, to support projects such as post office buildings, quarantine stations, and other essential infrastructure.

Scope and Application

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1917–18 is an Act of the Commonwealth of Australia designed to allocate a specific sum from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1918 towards additions, new works, and buildings. This legislation applies to various government departments, including the Department of Works and Railways, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defence (Military), the Department of the Navy, and the Home and Territories Department. It covers the appropriation of funds for a range of projects, such as the construction of public works, defence-related acquisitions, and infrastructure improvements across multiple states and territories. The geographic reach of this Act is national, as it involves multiple departments and states. The Act specifies the exact amount of £2,088 to be allocated to different projects, as outlined in the Schedule, and ensures that these funds are appropriately apportioned among the various government entities involved. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the Act, and its application is direct without the need for further extension through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1917–18 (referred to hereafter as the Act) is designed to allocate a sum of money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918, specifically for additions, new works, buildings, and other related expenses (Section 1, 2). This Act enables the appropriation of £2,088 for various government departments and services as detailed in the Act's schedule. The appropriations are allocated to several departments, including the Department of Works and Railways, the Department of Treasury, the Department of Defence (Military), the Department of the Navy, and the Home and Territories Department. The Act imposes specific obligations on the relevant departments to ensure that the appropriated funds are used strictly for the purposes outlined in the Act. For example, the Department of Works and Railways is tasked with funding new works such as accommodation for the Public Works Branch in Redfern, New South Wales, and additional buildings for the Meteorological Bureau in Brisbane, Queensland, among others (Schedule, Division No. 1). The Department of Treasury must allocate funds for machinery and plant for the Government Printing Office and stamp printing operations (Schedule, Division No. 12, 13). The Department of Defence (Military) must use the funds for warlike stores and equipment, including field and machine guns, vehicles, and other regimental and personal equipment (Schedule, Division No. 15). Similarly, the Department of the Navy has to allocate funds for the construction of vessels, such as a wooden launch for Victoria Customs and a fumigating barge for Queensland Quarantine (Schedule, Division No. 18). Finally, the Home and Territories Department must use the funds to purchase a site and cottage at Goode Island for the Lighthouse-keeper (Schedule, Division No. 19, Subdivision No. 5). Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act could result in legal consequences. However, the Act does not explicitly state any specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance. Given the nature of the Act, any misuse of the appropriated funds could potentially lead to legal action, either civil or criminal, depending on the severity of the breach and the resultant impact on the public funds. The exact penalties would be determined by the courts based on the specific circumstances of the case.