Treasury Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1913 No. 154, made under the Audit Act 1901-1909, is an amendment to the Treasury Regulations that came into effect immediately upon its creation. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Governor-General in Council, following the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The amendment modifies Treasury Regulation 143 to allow the Administrator of the Northern Territory to sign form (41) for the sale of property valued at up to £100 within the Northern Territory, which is under the control of the Minister for External Affairs. This change supersedes the Provisional Regulation (Statutory Rules 1912, No. 249) enacted on 19th December 1912. The regulation aims to streamline the process of property sales in the Northern Territory by providing the Administrator with the necessary authority to sign off on minor sales, thereby addressing a procedural gap in the existing regulations.

Scope and Application

The Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1909, as amended by Statutory Rules 1913, No. 154, establish procedural guidelines for the administration of financial controls and audits within the Commonwealth of Australia. Specifically, this amendment pertains to the sale of property in the Northern Territory, with a value not exceeding £100, which is under the control of the Minister for External Affairs. The regulation provides that, in such instances, the form (41) required for these transactions may be signed by the Administrator of the Northern Territory. This amendment extends the authority for signing off on minor property sales from the central authority to the local administrator, thereby streamlining the process in the Northern Territory. The regulation applies directly to the conduct of property sales within the specified value threshold and geographic location, and it supersedes any prior provisional regulation on the same matter, ensuring that the updated process is followed in accordance with the latest legislative standards.

Key Provisions

The legislative instrument, Statutory Rules 1913, No. 154, amends the Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1909, specifically updating Treasury Regulation 143. This amendment allows for a streamlined process in the sale of property in the Northern Territory, provided the property value does not exceed £100 and is under the control of the Minister for External Affairs. Under the new regulation, the form (41) can now be signed by the Administrator of the Northern Territory, which replaces the previous requirement that such forms must be signed by higher authority. This change is intended to facilitate more efficient administration of property sales within the specified parameters. The amendment places certain obligations on the Administrator of the Northern Territory, who is now authorised to sign form (41) for the sale of property within the Northern Territory, provided the sale value does not exceed £100 and the property is under the control of the Minister for External Affairs. The Administrator must ensure that all sales are conducted in accordance with the stipulated regulations and that the property values and control conditions are met. Additionally, there is an implicit obligation to maintain accurate records and documentation for all such sales, which must be compliant with the Audit Act 1901-1909. While the legislative instrument itself does not specify particular offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches of the amended regulation, any non-compliance with the Audit Act 1901-1909 could result in various penalties as outlined in the primary Act. For instance, any improper sale of property or failure to adhere to the prescribed procedures could lead to civil or administrative penalties. In more severe cases, breaches could potentially result in criminal charges, although the specific consequences would depend on the nature and severity of the breach as interpreted under the overarching provisions of the Audit Act 1901-1909.