Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Services) Act 1954-55

Overview

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Services) Act 1954-55 was enacted in 1956 by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for additional funding for capital expenditures in the 1954-55 financial year. This Act supplements the initial appropriation by allocating a further sum of £95,794 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the specified purposes of additions, new works, and other services. The legislation ensures that the additional funds are designated for various government departments and territories, ensuring that critical infrastructure and service developments can be completed as planned. The policy objective is to provide the necessary financial resources to support ongoing government projects and services that require capital investment.

Scope and Application

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Services) Act 1954-55 applies to the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the purposes of additions, new works, and other services involving capital expenditure for the year ending 30 June 1955. This Act pertains to various government departments and services, excluding business undertakings and territories of the Commonwealth. It allocates the sum of £95,794 to different divisions within specified departments, including the Department of External Affairs, the Department of Shipping and Transport, and the Department of Labour and National Service, among others. The geographical scope of the Act is limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, and it does not extend to state or territory governments. The Act does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and its application is not extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Services) Act 1954-55 (section 1) provides for the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the year ended 30 June 1955, with effect from 1 July 1954. The Act appropriates the sum of £95,794 for additions, new works, and other services involving capital expenditure (section 2). The funds are allocated across various departments and services, including Department of External Affairs, Department of Shipping and Transport, Department of Labour and National Service, Department of National Development, Australian Atomic Energy Commission, Northern Territory, and Australian Capital Territory (Schedule, Part I and Part III). The Act imposes specific obligations on the relevant departments to utilize the appropriated funds for the purposes stated in the Schedule. For example, the Department of External Affairs must use the allocated funds for buildings, works, equipment, and furniture for other overseas establishments. Similarly, the Department of Shipping and Transport must apply the funds to ship construction and marine branch activities, while the Department of Labour and National Service and Department of National Development must use their allocations for acquiring sites and buildings. The Australian Atomic Energy Commission is directed to use the funds for the acquisition of land and minerals. Additionally, the Department of Territories must use the funds for the acquisition of sites and buildings in the Northern Territory, and the Department of the Interior must apply the funds for plant and equipment, and the acquisition of land and compensation for improvements on resumed leases in the Australian Capital Territory (Schedule). There are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned within the Act for breaches of its provisions. However, failure to comply with the appropriation directions or misuse of the funds could potentially lead to financial and administrative repercussions under general public finance laws and regulations, including possible inquiries or audits by relevant oversight bodies. The Act, by ensuring that funds are used for the specified purposes, helps maintain accountability and adherence to budgetary allocations set by Parliament.