Treasury Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1916 No. 121 amends the Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1912. This legislative instrument was enacted to address the need for streamlined processes in the reporting of government property sales to the Auditor-General. The Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, made these amendments to enhance efficiency and oversight in the sale of government property, particularly by removing certain bureaucratic hurdles. The objective of these changes is to ensure that the reporting process is as straightforward as possible while maintaining the necessary level of accountability and oversight. The changes specify exceptions for certain sales, allowing the form to be signed by authorised officers rather than requiring direct submission to the Auditor-General, thus facilitating quicker and more efficient reporting.

Scope and Application

This statutory instrument pertains to amendments made to the Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1912, impacting the procedures for notifying the Auditor-General about government property sales. The amendment applies to all government entities involved in property sales, excluding those conducted by the Government Printer in Melbourne when selling to state governments or individuals. The regulations also specify that for sales of property under the Minister's control, the form used can be signed by the Chief Officer or the Chief Clerk in the State concerned, and in the case of sales under the Minister for External Affairs in the Northern Territory, where the property value does not exceed £100, the form may be signed by the Administrator of the Northern Territory. This amendment effectively modifies the reporting and authorisation requirements for certain government property sales, aiming to streamline the administrative process while ensuring accountability.

Key Provisions

The amendment to the Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1912, as enacted in Statutory Rules 1916, No. 121, primarily focuses on the procedures for reporting the sale of government property. Section 143, as amended, mandates that a schedule of all government property authorised for sale must be forwarded to the Auditor-General using Form 41. However, this requirement does not apply to sales conducted by the Government Printer in Melbourne to the government of a state, nor to sales of printed matter to any person by the same printer. For sales requiring ministerial approval, the form may be signed by the Chief Officer or, in the case of the Postmaster-General's Department, by the Chief Clerk in the relevant state. Additionally, for sales in the Northern Territory of property valued at up to £100 under the control of the Minister for External Affairs, the form can be signed by the Administrator of the Northern Territory. The obligations imposed by this amendment are clear and structured. Government entities responsible for sales must ensure that a schedule of the property sold is documented and submitted in Form 41 to the Auditor-General. This applies to all sales unless explicitly exempted, such as those made by the Government Printer to a state government or to individuals. In instances where ministerial approval is necessary, the Chief Officer or the Chief Clerk in the Postmaster-General's Department can sign the form. For minor sales in the Northern Territory, the Administrator can sign the form. This systematic approach ensures transparency and accountability in the disposal of government property. Breaches of these requirements may result in legal consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the amendment, it is implied that failure to adhere to these reporting requirements could lead to legal scrutiny or penalties under the Audit Act 1901-1912. The precise nature of these penalties would typically be outlined in the main Act or related regulations, but the importance of compliance is underscored by the formal amendment process.