Treasury Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1912 No. 249, titled "Provisional Treasury Regulations Under the Audit Act 1901–1909," was enacted to address the urgent need for streamlined administrative procedures in the Northern Territory, particularly concerning the sale of government-controlled property. The Governor-General, in conjunction with the Federal Executive Council, issued this regulation to facilitate the sale of property worth up to £100 in the Northern Territory by allowing the Administrator of the Northern Territory to sign the necessary form. This Provisional Regulation was introduced to expedite processes that would otherwise require the approval of higher authorities, thus ensuring efficient governance and financial management in the region. The aim was to provide a timely and effective solution to administrative challenges specific to the Northern Territory.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901–1909, as amended by Statutory Rules 1912, No. 249, pertain to the administrative processes and approvals necessary for the sale of property under the control of the Minister for External Affairs in the Northern Territory. These regulations specifically address the sale of property with a value not exceeding £100, stipulating that in such instances, the form (41) required for the approval and conduct of the sale may be signed by the Administrator of the Northern Territory. This amendment was deemed necessary due to the urgency of the matter and came into immediate operation as a Provisional Regulation. The application of this regulation is geographically confined to the Northern Territory and relates to transactions involving the sale of specific property under the purview of the Minister for External Affairs. The regulation does not extend to property sales exceeding £100 in value, nor does it apply to other regions outside the Northern Territory.

Key Provisions

The Provisional Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901–1909, specifically in Statutory Rules 1912, No. 249, introduce an amendment to Treasury Regulation 143. This amendment permits the Administrator of the Northern Territory to sign off on the sale of property, not exceeding £100 in value, under the control of the Minister for External Affairs, within the Northern Territory. This provision is added to the existing Regulation 143, allowing a specific form, known as form (41), to be used for this purpose (Treasury Regulation 143 (41)). The Act imposes certain obligations on the parties involved. The Administrator of the Northern Territory is entrusted with the responsibility of signing the form for the sale of specified property. This role necessitates that the Administrator ensures all transactions are properly documented and adhere to the stipulated value limit. Moreover, the Minister for External Affairs must maintain control over the property that is subject to these sales, ensuring that the property in question meets the criteria outlined in the legislation. Breach of the provisions set out in the Provisional Treasury Regulations may lead to civil or criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, breaches of similar provisions in other acts generally attract fines and potential imprisonment. The precise penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and other jurisdictional factors, but the overarching intent is to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework established by the Audit Act 1901–1909.