Supply and Development (Administration) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1942 No. 464, made under the Supply and Development Acts 1939, address the need to amend the administrative regulations to accommodate the changing economic and wartime circumstances of the time. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, this legislative instrument adjusts the financial threshold for the Contract Board’s functions, specifically increasing the limit from five thousand pounds to fifteen thousand pounds. The policy objective underpinning this adjustment is to ensure that the administrative mechanisms under the Supply and Development Acts remain effective and responsive to the economic pressures and resource requirements of the period, thereby facilitating the efficient allocation of resources for essential wartime supplies and developments.

Scope and Application

The Supply and Development (Administration) Regulations, as amended by the Statutory Rules 1942 No. 464, pertain to the functions of the Contract Board established under the Supply and Development Acts 1939. These Acts primarily serve to facilitate the supply and development of goods, services, and infrastructure essential for national purposes, particularly in the context of defence and emergency situations. The regulations apply to the Contract Board and its authorised officers, who are responsible for the administration of contracts and the allocation of resources within the scope of the Act. Geographically, the Act extends to the Commonwealth of Australia, governing entities and individuals involved in contracts that fall under the purview of the Supply and Development Acts. The legislative instrument modifies the financial threshold for certain contract-related functions, increasing the monetary limit from five thousand to fifteen thousand pounds, thereby potentially broadening the scope of contracts that the Board can administer without additional oversight. This regulation does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions but operates within the framework set by the primary Acts, with further detail potentially provided in subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules of 1942, No. 464, amend the Supply and Development (Administration) Regulations under the Supply and Development Acts 1939. The key operative section in this regulation is Regulation 29(1), which revises the monetary limit for the functions of the Contract Board. Specifically, the amendment involves increasing the threshold from "Five thousand pounds" to "Fifteen thousand pounds" (Regulation 29(1)). This adjustment likely pertains to the authority or jurisdiction of the Contract Board in relation to financial transactions or agreements. The amended regulation imposes obligations on the Contract Board by expanding its authority to oversee and manage financial transactions up to a value of Fifteen thousand pounds. This change likely reflects an adjustment in the scope of the Contract Board's responsibilities to accommodate larger or more significant projects or agreements that were previously beyond its purview. The regulation ensures that the Board has the necessary capacity to handle increased financial responsibilities effectively. Failure to comply with the provisions of this amended regulation could result in various civil or administrative consequences. While the specific consequences are not detailed in the regulation, breaches of regulatory requirements under the Supply and Development Acts 1939 generally could lead to penalties. The maximum penalties for breaches of these acts are detailed elsewhere in the legislation and could include fines or other sanctions as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities. The precise nature and extent of penalties would depend on the specific breach and the circumstances surrounding it.