STATUTORY RULES.
1920. No. 57.
TREASURY REGULATIONS UNDER THE AUDIT ACT 1901-1917.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following amendment of the Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1917, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this first day of April, 1920.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
W. H. LAIRD SMITH,
for the Treasurer.
Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1917.
Amendment of Form No. 5 (Clause 28).
Commonwealth of Australia.
A Return of all Public Moneys collected by me as at from to 19 not including amounts which under clauses 34 and 35 of the Treasury Regulations I am authorized to retain in my possession or under my control.
Date of payment to Receiver of Public Moneys or to Commonwealth Public Account. | Treasury Vou. No. (To be filled up in the Audit Office.) | Name of Receiver to whom paid, or, if paid into the Commonwealth Public Account, name of Bank. | Amount. |
| | | £ s. d. |
Total.......... | |
Commonwealth of Australia.
Statutory Declaration.
I, , do solemnly and sincerely declare that the within return is true and correct in every particular.
And I make this solemn declaration by virtue of the Statutory Declarations Act 1911, conscientiously believing the statements contained therein to be true in every particular.
Declared at , the day of 19 , before me—
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Statutory Rules of 1920, No. 57, titled "Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1917," were enacted to provide a structured format for the reporting of public moneys collected and their subsequent payment to the Receiver of Public Moneys or into the Commonwealth Public Account. This legislative instrument was introduced to ensure the transparency and accountability of public funds, providing a standardised return form for public officers to report collected funds. The regulations were issued under the authority of the Governor-General in Council, with the intent of ensuring that all public moneys are properly accounted for and managed in accordance with the Audit Act. These regulations aimed to address the need for a systematic approach to the reporting and auditing of public finances, thus promoting fiscal responsibility and integrity in the management of Commonwealth funds.
Scope and Application
The Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1917 apply to public officials and entities within the Commonwealth of Australia responsible for the collection and management of public monies. This includes individuals such as public servants, officers, and agents who have collected public funds on behalf of the government. The regulations outline the requirements for the proper accounting and reporting of these funds, ensuring transparency and accountability. The geographic reach of these regulations is limited to the Commonwealth level, governing the practices within the federal government. Any public official or entity handling public moneys is subject to these regulations, and they must comply with the stipulated procedures for reporting and remitting collected funds to the Receiver of Public Moneys or the Commonwealth Public Account. The regulations also specify the format and content of the returns to be made, which must include a detailed breakdown of the amounts collected and paid out, accompanied by a statutory declaration affirming the accuracy of the information provided. Any exclusions or exemptions from these regulations are not detailed in the provided text, though it is likely that specific provisions or circumstances might be addressed in subordinate instruments or related legislation.
Key Provisions
The Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1917, as amended by Statutory Rules 1920, No. 57, introduce modifications to Form No. 5 (Clause 28), which pertains to the return of all public monies collected. This return must be made by the relevant officer, detailing the amounts collected from a specified date to a certain point in 1917, excluding any sums authorised to be retained under clauses 34 and 35 of the same regulations. The form specifies the date of payment to the Receiver of Public Moneys or to the Commonwealth Public Account, the Treasury Voucher number, the name of the receiver, or if paid into the Commonwealth Public Account, the name of the bank, and the total amount in pounds, shillings, and pence. This form is to be completed by the person responsible and submitted to the Audit Office for verification and record-keeping purposes.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties involved in handling public moneys. Firstly, it mandates that all collected public monies must be accounted for and reported accurately in the return form. The person responsible must ensure that the details provided are true and correct, as they are required to declare this under the Statutory Declarations Act 1911. Additionally, they must ensure that the amounts are paid to the designated Receiver of Public Moneys or into the Commonwealth Public Account within the stipulated timeframes. These obligations are critical to maintaining the integrity of public financial records and ensuring compliance with the Treasury Regulations.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the Act can result in significant consequences. Any person found to have provided false or misleading information in their return could face criminal charges under the Statutory Declarations Act 1911, which may include penalties for perjury or making false statements. Additionally, any failure to account for public monies accurately or to remit these funds as required could lead to civil or administrative penalties. The exact penalties for such breaches are not detailed in the statutory rules but are likely to be severe, given the importance of accurate financial reporting and public trust in government processes.