Supply Act (Works and Buildings) (No. 1) 1916-17

Overview

The Supply (Works and Buildings) (No. 1) 1916–17 Act, enacted in 1916, was established to provide the necessary financial allocation for various works and buildings across multiple departments for the financial year ending 30 June 1917. The Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia, with the primary objective of ensuring that funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund were appropriately issued and applied to specific projects and services outlined in the Act's Schedule. The Act authorised the Treasurer to issue and apply the specified sum of £662,085, with a strict limitation on expenditure beyond the financial year in question, thereby ensuring fiscal discipline and accountability in the allocation of public funds. The Act facilitated the distribution of funds across various government departments, including the Department of Home Affairs, the Postmaster-General’s Department, and the Department of Defence, among others, with precise allocations designated for different projects such as quarantine, lighthouses, and naval works. This structured approach aimed to address the need for organised and transparent management of public expenditure on essential infrastructure and services during a critical period for the nation.

Scope and Application

The Supply (Works and Buildings) (No. 1) 1916–17 Act is an appropriation bill designed to allocate funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the financial year ending 30th June 1917. This Act authorises the issuance and application of £662,085 for various purposes and services detailed in the accompanying Schedule, including additions, new works, and buildings. The specific allocations are overseen by various government departments, such as the Department of Home Affairs, the Postmaster-General’s Department, and the Department of Defence, among others. The funds are to be expended only for the purposes and services specified in the Schedule and cannot be expended beyond the financial year ending on 30th June 1917. This legislation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the appropriated funds are used in alignment with the budgetary requirements set out for the specified period.

Key Provisions

The Supply Act (Works and Buildings) (No. 1) 1916–17 (hereinafter the "Act") primarily authorises the appropriation of a specified sum of money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be utilised for specific works and buildings across various government departments for the financial year ending 30 June 1917. The Act allocates the sum of £662,085 for this purpose, with detailed breakdowns provided in the accompanying Schedule (sections 2 and 3). The funds are to be used for additions, new works, and buildings as outlined in the Schedule, and the Treasurer is empowered to issue and apply these funds as necessary (section 2). Importantly, no expenditure under this Act can occur after 30 June 1917 (section 4). The Act imposes several obligations on the relevant departments and authorities. Each department listed in the Schedule must ensure that the funds allocated to them are used strictly for the purposes specified. For instance, the Department of Home Affairs is allocated £272,435 for various projects including new works in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, and other states, among others (Schedule, Division No. 1). Similarly, the Postmaster-General’s Department is allocated £90,500 for telegraphs and telephones (Schedule, Division No. 8). The Department of Defence, divided into Military and Navy subdivisions, is allocated £65,600 and £210,000 respectively, for projects such as rifle clubs, military stores, and naval works (Schedule, Divisions No. 11 and 13). Compliance with these allocations and the stipulated timeframe is mandatory. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Act can result in significant consequences. While the Act itself does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance, breaches of similar statutory provisions under Australian law can attract severe penalties. Typically, such breaches could result in criminal charges, with potential penalties including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach. Civil consequences might also include financial penalties, restitution, or injunctive relief to ensure compliance. It is important for the departments and individuals involved to strictly adhere to the allocated budgets and timeframes to avoid any adverse legal ramifications.