Supply Act (Works and Buildings) (No. 1) 1914-15

Overview

The Supply (Works and Buildings) (No. 1) 1914–15 Act, enacted in 1914, was introduced to address the need for funding for various public works and buildings across different government departments for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1915. This Act was passed by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, with the primary objective of appropriating funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for specified additions, new works, and buildings under the control of various government departments. The Act authorises the issuance and application of a total of £754,930, which is to be allocated to different departments, including the Department of Home Affairs, the Postmaster-General’s Department, and the Department of Defence, among others, as outlined in the schedule attached to the Act. The funds are to be expended only for the purposes and services detailed in the schedule and no later than June 30, 1915.

Scope and Application

The Supply (Works and Buildings) (No. 1) 1914–15 Act, which was enacted to grant and apply a sum out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the service of the year ending June 30, 1915, for the purposes of additions, new works, buildings, and related activities, applies to the Commonwealth of Australia and is valid throughout its jurisdiction. This Act authorises the issuance and application of £754,930 to various government departments and projects outlined in the Schedule. Specifically, the funds are allocated to the Department of Home Affairs, the Postmaster-General's Department, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defence, the Department of External Affairs, and the Department of Trade and Customs. The allocation is intended for projects including defence works, quarantine facilities, lighthouses, post office buildings, telegraphs and telephones, wireless telegraphy, government printing, stamp printing, military stores, naval works, construction of the fleet, construction of vessels for other departments, the Northern Territory, and Port Augusta Railway. Expenditure under this Act is strictly limited to the financial year ending June 30, 1915, and no moneys shall be expended after this date. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but the allocation of funds to specific departments and projects suggests a targeted approach to the use of the granted sum.

Key Provisions

The Supply (Works and Buildings) (No. 1) 1914–15 Act (Sections 1-4) provides a detailed appropriation for specific government projects, allocating £754,930 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1915. The Act outlines the authorised expenditure for various government departments and their respective projects, as detailed in the Schedule. This includes allocations for new works and buildings under the Department of Home Affairs, Postmaster-General's Department, Department of the Treasury, Department of Defence, Department of External Affairs, and Department of Trade and Customs. Each department's allocation is specified, indicating the intended use of the funds, such as new buildings, telegraph and telephone lines, and defence infrastructure. The obligations imposed by the Act require the Treasurer to ensure that the authorised funds are issued and applied only for the purposes specified in the Schedule. This includes adhering to the departmental allocations and ensuring that no expenditure exceeds the authorised amount or occurs beyond the fiscal year ending 30 June 1915 (Section 4). Each department must manage its allocated funds in accordance with the projects outlined, ensuring accountability and proper use of the granted sum. The Act mandates that the expenditure must be tracked and documented accurately to ensure transparency and compliance with the Act's provisions. Breaches of the Act's provisions could result in financial penalties or other legal consequences. Specifically, unauthorised expenditure or misuse of the allocated funds could lead to disciplinary actions against the responsible officials. While the Act does not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance, it is understood that any over-expenditure or improper use of funds could result in financial accountability and potential legal proceedings. The maximum penalties, if applicable, would be determined by other relevant laws governing public financial management and misuse of public funds in Australia.