Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1946-47

Overview

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1946–47 was enacted in 1948 to provide additional funding for works, buildings, and equipment for various government departments and services, business undertakings, and territories for the financial year ending 30 June 1947. The Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia and aims to appropriate the grant originated in the House of Representatives. The purpose of this Act is to supplement the appropriations already made for the year 1946-1947 to cover additional expenses incurred for additions, new works, buildings, and equipment for various government departments, services, business undertakings, and territories. The Act allocates a sum of £617,678 to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the year ended 30 June 1947. The funds are divided into three parts: Part I covers departments and services other than business undertakings and territories of the Commonwealth, Part II covers business undertakings, and Part III covers territories of the Commonwealth. Each part lists the specific allocations for different departments and services, including equipment, buildings, and other works.

Scope and Application

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1946–47 applies to the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the financial year ending 30 June 1947. The Act allocates a total sum of £617,678 for the purposes of additions, new works, buildings, and other related expenditures, primarily for government departments and services, business undertakings, and territories of the Commonwealth. The funds are to be allocated to various departments and services, including the Prime Minister's Department, Department of External Affairs, Department of the Treasury, Department of Munitions, Department of Civil Aviation, Department of Commerce and Agriculture, Department of Social Services, and Department of Labour and National Service, as well as to business undertakings such as the Postmaster-General's Department, and the territories of the Commonwealth, namely the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, nor does it extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments. The geographic reach of the Act is national, as it pertains to the appropriation of funds for the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1946–47 (section 2) appropriates a sum of £617,678 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the year ending 30 June 1947, intended for additions, new works, and buildings. This appropriation is divided into three parts: Part I pertains to departments and services other than business undertakings and territories of the Commonwealth, Part II concerns business undertakings, and Part III involves the territories of the Commonwealth. Each part details specific allocations for various departments and services, with totals for each part summing up to the overall appropriation. The Act imposes several obligations on the entities it governs. Firstly, it mandates the allocation of funds as specified in the Schedule, ensuring that each department and service adheres to the designated amounts. This includes the Prime Minister's Department, Department of External Affairs, Department of the Treasury, Department of Munitions, and others. Each department is required to utilise the allocated funds strictly for the purposes outlined, such as equipment for official residences, acquisition of machinery, and building works. The Act also requires that any surplus buildings, sites, and equipment taken over from the Disposals Commission be accounted for and deducted from the total appropriations as necessary. Failure to comply with the obligations set forth in the Act may result in penalties or other consequences. Although the Act does not explicitly detail specific offences or penalties, non-compliance with appropriations and financial regulations can typically lead to administrative or legal repercussions under broader legislative frameworks. These may include audits, financial investigations, and potential civil or criminal charges under other applicable laws governing public expenditure and financial management. The Act does not explicitly outline specific penalties within its text, but breaches of appropriations and financial regulations are generally subject to the penalties prescribed under the Public Works Act 1928 or the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997, which may include fines and other legal consequences. The maximum penalties for such breaches can vary based on the severity of the offence and the relevant laws under which they are prosecuted.