Treasury Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1917, No. 137, is an amendment to the Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1912. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, the legislative instrument addresses a specific administrative issue within the government's audit processes. The regulation seeks to rectify an oversight by amending Treasury Regulation No. 61 to substitute the words "Department of Works and Railways" for "Department of Home Affairs." This change aims to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the regulatory framework governing financial audits and oversight, thereby maintaining the integrity of the auditing processes within the government's financial management structures.

Scope and Application

The statutory rules outlined in this legislative instrument pertain to amendments to the Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1912, specifically targeting Regulation No. 61. This amendment modifies the original wording to replace "Department of Home Affairs" with "Department of Works and Railways," thereby updating the regulatory framework to reflect current departmental designations. The changes are effective immediately upon promulgation and are designed to ensure that the auditing processes align with the structural realities of the government. The scope of this legislation is limited to the specified regulatory amendment, thereby maintaining the broader provisions of the Audit Act 1901-1912. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of these regulations is confined to the Commonwealth, ensuring that the amendments apply uniformly across the federal level. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds specified within the text, and the application of these regulations is direct, without extensions or restrictions via subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The primary operative section of this legislation (Statutory Rule 1917 No. 137) involves the amendment of Treasury Regulation No. 61 under the Audit Act 1901-1912. Specifically, the regulation mandates the substitution of the words "Department of Works and Railways" for "Department of Home Affairs" within the existing regulatory framework (Section 1). This amendment ensures that the oversight and audit responsibilities previously assigned to the Department of Home Affairs are now the purview of the Department of Works and Railways. This legislative amendment imposes new obligations and requirements on the Department of Works and Railways, transferring the duties and responsibilities previously held by the Department of Home Affairs. The Department of Works and Railways is now tasked with the oversight and audit of relevant matters previously managed by the Department of Home Affairs. This includes the responsibility to ensure compliance with the Audit Act 1901-1912 and any related regulations, as well as maintaining appropriate records and documentation to facilitate effective auditing processes. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences detailed within this statutory rule. However, the Department of Works and Railways, now assuming the responsibilities previously held by the Department of Home Affairs, must adhere strictly to the provisions of the Audit Act 1901-1912. Any failure to comply with the Act could potentially lead to enforcement actions under the general provisions of the Act itself, which might include penalties or legal actions as prescribed by the overarching legislation. While the specific penalties are not outlined in this amendment, the implications of non-compliance could be severe, including potential financial penalties, legal sanctions, or other consequences as determined by the relevant authorities under the Audit Act.