Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1934-35

Overview

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1934-35 was enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1936 to address the need for additional funding beyond what was initially appropriated for the financial year ending 30 June 1935. This Act was introduced to provide supplementary appropriations for various works and buildings across different departments and services, ensuring that critical infrastructure and operational requirements were met. The policy objective of this Act was to allocate an additional £17,513 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover expenses related to additions, new works, buildings, and other related services for the specified year. This funding was crucial for maintaining and improving public infrastructure and services, ensuring that the government could continue its operations effectively.

Scope and Application

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1934-35 applies to the appropriation of a specific sum from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the financial year ending 30 June 1935. The funds are designated for the purposes of additions, new works, buildings, and other related services within various departments and entities of the Commonwealth. The Act explicitly allocates funds to the Prime Minister’s Department, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defence, the Department of Trade and Customs, and business undertakings under the Postmaster-General’s Department, along with the Federal Capital Territory. It does not apply to other territories of the Commonwealth or specific business undertakings outside the scope outlined in the Act. The geographic reach of the Act is national, as it pertains to the Commonwealth of Australia and its various departments and territories. The Act includes specific exclusions by detailing that certain funds are not to be used for purposes outside the listed allocations, ensuring that the appropriated sum is strictly applied to the designated projects and services. The Act's application may be further extended or clarified through subordinate instruments, although this specific Act does not explicitly mention such provisions.

Key Provisions

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1934-35 (section 1) provides for the appropriation of a sum of money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the year ending 30 June 1935, intended for specific purposes outlined in the Schedule (section 2). This appropriation is to cover expenses for additions, new works, buildings, and other related services, as detailed in the Act's schedule. The appropriation is set at £17,513 and is deemed to have been appropriated from the date of passing of Act No. 19 of 1934. The Act imposes obligations on various departments and entities, requiring them to adhere to the specified allocations and purposes outlined in the schedule. For instance, the Prime Minister's Department must use its allocated funds for alterations to the Prime Minister’s Lodge in Canberra (Schedule, Part I, Division No. 2a, item 1). Similarly, the Department of Defence must allocate its funds for naval machinery and plant, defence works, and construction of a motor launch (Schedule, Part I, Divisions No. 7 and 10). The Postmaster-General's Department is responsible for telegraph and miscellaneous services (Schedule, Part II, Division No. 23, item 1), while the Federal Capital Territory must use its funds for architectural services (Schedule, Part III, Division No. 25, item 1). There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned within the text of the Act for breaches of the appropriation or misuse of funds. However, the Act's purpose is to ensure that the appropriated funds are used strictly for the specified purposes. Any deviation from these purposes without proper authorisation could potentially lead to legal scrutiny or financial oversight, although specific penalties are not detailed within the Act itself.