Supply Act (No. 1) 1903-4

Overview

The Supply Act (No. 1) 1903–4 was enacted to provide a grant for the financial year ending 30 June 1904, aiming to address the need for allocating funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This Act was introduced to facilitate the appropriation process by authorising the issuance and application of £75,000 for specified purposes and services outlined in the Schedule. The enacting body was the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, which included the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. The policy objective was to ensure that the necessary funds were available for government expenditure by the specified date, thereby enabling the Treasurer to make advances to public officers and meet future expenditures that would be detailed in subsequent parliamentary appropriations. The Act explicitly authorises the Treasurer to issue and apply the granted sum, ensuring it is available to satisfy warrants under the Governor-General's hand for the outlined purposes and services. Additionally, the Act sets a clear limit on the period during which the funds can be expended, stipulating that no moneys should be spent after 30 June 1904. This legislative measure was crucial for maintaining fiscal discipline and ensuring that government operations could proceed without interruption during the specified financial year.

Scope and Application

The Supply Act (No. 1) 1903–4 applies to the allocation and application of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the financial year ending 30 June 1904. This Act authorises the issuance of £75,000 for specified purposes detailed in the attached schedule, which includes the enabling of the Treasurer to make advances to public officers and to meet expenditures that will subsequently be included in a parliamentary appropriation. The Act's jurisdiction extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing all territories and entities under federal governance. The application of this Act is strictly limited to the fiscal year mentioned, with no expenditures permitted beyond 30 June 1904. While the Act itself sets the parameters for its application, it does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds. The detailed application of the funds and any additional provisions would be subject to subordinate instruments or specific directives issued under the authority of the Act.

Key Provisions

The Supply Act (No. 1) 1903–4 (referred to as the Act) primarily concerns the issuance and application of a sum of £75,000 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the service year ending June 30, 1904 (Section 1). This amount is designated for the purposes and services outlined in the Schedule to the Act (Section 2). The Act authorises the Treasurer to issue and apply these funds (Section 2). The sum provided is specifically available to meet warrants under the Governor-General's hand for the purposes listed in the Schedule (Section 3). Importantly, no expenditure under the authority of this Act is permitted beyond the specified end date of June 30, 1904 (Section 4). The Act imposes several obligations on the parties it governs, primarily centred around the Treasurer's role in issuing and applying the funds. The Treasurer is authorised to issue and apply the specified sum for the purposes outlined in the Schedule (Section 2). This includes the authority to make advances to public officers and meet expenditures that will later be included in a parliamentary appropriation (Schedule). Additionally, the Act mandates that the sum is only available for specified purposes, and the authority to expend these funds expires on the prescribed date (Sections 2 and 4). Breach of the Act's provisions could result in both civil and criminal consequences, although the specific nature of these consequences is not detailed within the Act itself. Generally, failure to adhere to the prescribed expenditure limits or unauthorised use of funds could lead to legal repercussions. The penalties for such breaches would typically be determined by relevant financial and administrative laws in place at the time of the breach. For instance, unauthorised expenditure might result in financial penalties or disciplinary actions against the involved public officers. However, the exact penalties are not specified in the Act, and would depend on the broader legal framework applicable at the time.