Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1920-21

Overview

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1920-21 was enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to address the need for additional funding for works and buildings beyond what was initially allocated for the financial year ending 30 June 1921. This legislation was introduced to facilitate supplementary appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover the costs associated with various public works and infrastructure projects across different departments. The Act allows for the allocation of £34,466 for additions, new works, and buildings, with specific amounts earmarked for projects under the Prime Minister’s Department, the Treasury, the Department of Defence, the Department of the Navy, the Department of Trade and Customs, and the Postmaster-General’s Department. The overarching policy objective of this Act is to ensure that essential public works and infrastructure projects can proceed without delay, thereby supporting national development and public service efficiency.

Scope and Application

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1920-21 pertains to the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the financial year ending 30th June 1921. It allocates the sum of £34,466 for various government departments and services, including the Prime Minister’s Department, the Treasury, the Department of Defence, the Department of the Navy, the Department of Trade and Customs, and the Postmaster-General’s Department. These funds are designated for specific projects such as the construction and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure. The Act applies nationally, as it involves federal government departments and their projects across different states. There are no explicit exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the text, but the allocation is limited to the specified sum and projects outlined in the Schedule. The Act does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments, as it directly appropriates the designated funds to the listed services.

Key Provisions

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1920-21 (C1921A00043) establishes the appropriation of a specified sum from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1921. This Act allocates £34,466 for various government departments and entities to fund additions, new works, and buildings (Section 2). The funds are designated for specific projects detailed in the Act's Schedule, which lists allocations for the Prime Minister’s Department, the Treasury, the Department of Defence (Military), the Department of the Navy, the Department of Trade and Customs, and the Postmaster-General’s Department. The Act imposes obligations on the relevant departments and entities to ensure that the appropriated funds are used strictly for the purposes outlined in the Schedule. For instance, the Prime Minister’s Department is allocated £1,653 for projects such as the Shipbuilding Yard in Maryborough and Kirribilli House in Sydney. Similarly, the Treasury is allocated £5,804 for the purchase of a site for the Commonwealth Notes Printing Branch. Each department must account for how the funds are spent and ensure compliance with the Act's stipulations. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act could result in significant consequences. While the Act does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or specific consequences for breaches, general principles of public law and financial management suggest that misuse of public funds could lead to legal action, financial penalties, or administrative sanctions. Given the nature of the funds involved and the oversight typically applied to government expenditures, severe breaches could potentially lead to criminal charges under broader public office and financial misconduct provisions, with penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment.