STATUTORY RULES
1966 No.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE AUDIT ACT 1901-1966.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1966.
Dated this ninth day of September, 1966.
Casey
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
(SGD) WILLIAM McMAHON
Treasurer.
Amendments of the Treasury Regulations†
Tenders.
1. Regulation 52 of the Treasury Regulations is amended by omitting sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (e) of sub-regulation (2.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-paragraph:—
“(i) metals for use by the Royal Australian Mint, the Melbourne Branch of the Royal Mint or the Perth Branch of the Royal Mint;”.
Petty expenditure.
2. Regulation 60 of the Treasury Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the words “Ten shillings” and inserting in their stead the words “One dollar or, if it is included in a class of petty expenditure in respect of which the Treasurer has fixed a higher amount for the purpose of this regulation, does not exceed that higher amount,”.
3. Regulation 109 of the Treasury Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—
Method of drawing cheques.
“109.—(l.) Except in the case of cheques included in a class of cheques determined by the Treasurer, the paymaster shall, not later than the working day following the day on which Form 18 or Form 22 is received by him—
(a) draw a cheque for each payment duly authorized on the form and verify the correctness of the cheque by comparing the particulars on it with the particulars relating to the payment shown on Form 12, 12a, 14, 17 or 18, as the case requires; and
(b) write the number of the cheque so drawn on that Form 18 or Form 22, as the case requires.
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1966.
† Statutory Rules 1942, No. 523, as amended by Statutory Rules 1943, No. 32; 1953, No. 3; 1959, No. 9; 1961, Nos. 77 and 1965, Nos. 32 and 169.
4030/66.—Price 5c (6d.) 9/25.11.1966
“(2.) The power conferred on the Secretary to the Department of the Treasury by regulation 127a of these Regulations to give directions to persons employed in the service of the Commonwealth or to any other persons who are subject to the provisions of the Act extends, notwithstanding the provisions of the last preceding sub-regulation, to giving directions, not inconsistent with the Act, with any other Act, or with any other regulations under the Act or any other Act, to paymasters relating to the drawing and issuing of cheques included in a class of cheques determined by the Treasurer under that sub-regulation.”.
By Authority: A. J. Arthur, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1966 No. 83, made under the Audit Act 1901-1966, were introduced to amend the Treasury Regulations in response to the evolving needs of the Commonwealth's financial management. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations were designed to refine and modernise certain administrative procedures within the Treasury Department, addressing gaps that had arisen over time. The regulations include amendments to the handling of tenders, particularly those involving metals for the Royal Australian Mint and its branches, and adjustments to petty expenditure limits, replacing the previous ten shilling threshold with a more flexible dollar-based system, potentially indexed to broader classes of expenditure. Additionally, the regulations overhaul the cheque-drawing process, introducing more stringent verification requirements and expanding the scope of the Treasurer's authority to direct paymasters on cheque issuance. The overarching policy objective of these amendments is to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of financial transactions within the Commonwealth.
Scope and Application
These statutory rules, made under the Audit Act 1901-1966, amend the Treasury Regulations and apply to the Commonwealth of Australia. They specifically concern the regulation of tenders for metals intended for use by Australian Mint branches and the adjustment of petty expenditure limits, now set at one dollar or a higher amount fixed by the Treasurer for specific classes of petty expenditure. Additionally, the regulations modify the process for drawing cheques, requiring verification and documentation of each payment unless exempted by the Treasurer. The rules allow for the Treasurer to determine specific classes of cheques and direct paymasters on cheque issuance. The application of these regulations is broad, impacting the Commonwealth's financial transactions and administrative procedures.
Key Provisions
The Statutory Rules 1966 No. 4030, issued under the Audit Act 1901-1966, introduce significant amendments to the Treasury Regulations. These amendments primarily focus on the procurement of metals for minting purposes, the definition and limits of petty expenditure, and the procedures for drawing cheques. Regulation 52, as amended, now specifically includes metals for use by the Royal Australian Mint or its branches in Melbourne and Perth (section 1). Regulation 60 revises the threshold for petty expenditure, replacing the former ten shillings limit with a one dollar threshold, or a higher amount if specified by the Treasurer (section 2). Furthermore, Regulation 109 is repealed and replaced with new provisions that mandate the paymaster to draw and verify cheques within a specified timeframe, unless they fall into a class of cheques determined by the Treasurer (section 3). The new regulation also extends the Secretary's authority to give directions to paymasters concerning the drawing and issuing of cheques, provided such directions do not conflict with the Act, other Acts, or regulations (section 4).
These regulations impose specific obligations on various entities, including the paymaster and other personnel involved in the financial operations of the Commonwealth. The paymaster is required to meticulously verify the correctness of each cheque drawn, ensuring the details match the authorised payment forms such as Forms 12, 12a, 14, 17, or 18. They must also record the cheque number on the relevant form. Additionally, the Treasurer's discretion in determining higher petty expenditure amounts or specific classes of cheques imposes a duty on relevant parties to adhere to these specified limits or classifications.
The Statutory Rules also outline the consequences for non-compliance with these regulations. While specific penalties are not detailed within the text, breaches of the Audit Act or any associated regulations could result in legal repercussions. Such breaches might lead to civil or criminal penalties, depending on the nature and severity of the violation. The maximum penalties would be dictated by the relevant sections of the Audit Act or other applicable legislation, potentially including fines or imprisonment for more serious infractions. It is crucial for all involved parties to comply strictly with these regulations to avoid any legal ramifications.