Supply Act (No. 3) 1992-93

Overview

The Supply Act (No. 3) 1992-93, enacted in 1992, was introduced to provide interim funding to supplement the appropriations made by the Supply Act (No. 1) 1992-93 for the fiscal year ending on 30 June 1993. This legislation was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for additional funding beyond what was initially allocated, ensuring that government services and programs could continue without interruption. The Act allows the Minister for Finance to issue and apply $65 million from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for specified services during the mentioned period. This additional funding is intended to cover expenditures in a manner consistent with prior appropriations, thereby maintaining continuity and predictability in government spending. The policy objective behind the Supply Act (No. 3) 1992-93 is to facilitate the smooth operation of government functions by providing necessary interim funding. By allowing the Minister for Finance to issue additional funds, the Act ensures that critical services and programs can proceed without delay, thereby supporting the overall functioning and stability of the government's financial operations for the fiscal year in question. The Act is subject to any provisions that may be enacted in the Loan Act 1992, if such a legislation is passed before the commencement of the Appropriation Act (No. 1) 1992-93.

Scope and Application

The Supply Act (No. 3) 1992-93 is a piece of Commonwealth legislation that serves to make interim financial provisions for the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, supplementing the appropriations made under the Supply Act (No. 1) 1992-93 for the fiscal year ending on 30 June 1993. This Act applies to the Minister for Finance, who is authorised to issue and apply $65,000,000 for specified services as outlined in the Schedule, which details allocations between the Department of Employment, Education and Training and the Department of Transport and Communications. The funds are intended to cover the same purposes as those for which money was appropriated in the previous fiscal year's Appropriation Act, unless otherwise specified in the Schedule. The geographic reach of this Act is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. Additionally, if a Loan Act 1992 is enacted before the Appropriation Act (No. 1) 1992-93, this Act will be subject to the provisions of that Loan Act. The Act does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond those outlined in the Schedule, and the application of the Act is not extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Supply Act (No. 3) 1992-93 provides interim financial provisions for the appropriation of funds for the year ending 30 June 1993, supplementing the funds appropriated by the Supply Act (No. 1) 1992-93. The primary operative section of this Act is section 4, which authorises the Minister for Finance to issue and apply $65,000,000 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for specific services detailed in the Schedule. These funds are to be used for services provided by the Department of Employment, Education and Training ($50,000,000) and the Department of Transport and Communications ($15,000,000), as outlined in the attached Schedule. Unless specified otherwise in the Schedule, these funds must be used in the same manner as funds appropriated for similar services in previous Acts. The Act imposes several obligations on the Minister for Finance and the relevant departments. The Minister for Finance is required to ensure that the funds are issued and applied strictly according to the services and purposes outlined in the Schedule and any applicable appropriation Acts. The departments must use the funds only for the purposes specified in the Schedule and in accordance with the appropriation Acts. The Act also mandates that if a Loan Act 1992 is enacted before the commencement of the Appropriation Act (No. 1), this Act will be subject to the provisions of the Loan Act. Breaches of the requirements set forth in the Supply Act (No. 3) 1992-93 can lead to various consequences. While the Act does not explicitly state offences or penalties, misuse of funds or non-compliance with the appropriation directives could lead to administrative or legal repercussions. The consequences may include financial audits, investigations, and potential recovery of misused funds. Additionally, any misuse of public funds generally attracts criminal penalties under broader public sector laws, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach. The exact penalties would be determined in the context of the broader legal framework governing public finance and appropriation in Australia.