WARNING:
This Digest is prepared for debate. It reflects the legislation as
introduced and does not canvass subsequent amendments.
This Digest was available from 23 May 1996
CONTENTS
Date introduced: 8 May 1996
House: House of Representatives
Portfolio: Finance
Commencement: Royal Assent
To authorise the Minister for Finance to issue $1 719 603 000
from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF)for expenditure on capital
works and services, payments to the States and Territories, and for
other services during the 1996-97 financial year.
The reader is referred to the Digest for the Supply Bill (No. 1)
1996-97.
Clause 3 will authorise the Minister for
Finance to issue $1 719 603 000 from the CRF for the purposes
detailed in Schedule 2 of this Bill. Schedule 2 lists the
Departments and programs to which the funds are allocated,
including appropriations for:
- Department of Health and Family Services - $680 749
000. This principally consists of $663 534 000 for
payments to the States and Territories.
Comment: Payments to the States and Territories comprise a
number of items, the main ones being home and community care ($190
936 000); health care access ($174 691 000); and assistance for
people with disabilities ($148 575 000).
- Department of Finance - $175 000 000. The
total amount of $175 000 000 is for the Advance to the Minister for
Finance.
Comment: The Advance to the Minister for Finance is a form of
contingency fund which is kept topped-up via provisions in the
Appropriation Bills and the Supply Bills. The Advance is only used
to provide funding for any unforeseen and urgent expenditures.
These may arise if there are unforeseen shortfalls in funding for
programs for which an appropriation already exists, or may relate
to totally new programs. Monies may also be provided out of the
Advance to cover payments which must be made pending the Minister
for Finance's authorisation for the issue of Warrant authority. (A
Warrant is a document provided by the Minister for Finance to the
Secretary of a Department authorising the drawing of monies from
the Commonwealth Public Account. The Warrant in effect ensures or
attests that the making of any payment is covered by a lawful
appropriation.) The Minister for Finance tables, in Parliament,
monthly statements of operations on the Advance.
- Department of Transport and Regional Development - $139
522 000. This principally consists of $72 715 000 for
capital works and services.
Comment: Neither the Bill or the Second Reading Speech to the
Bill provide any guidance as to what acquisitions, buildings,
works, plant and equipment the $72 715 000 is required for.
Clause 4 deals with payments to the States and
Territories. Payments out of the money allocated in Schedule 2 that
are specified in Schedule 1 are subject to any terms, conditions or
determinations specified by the appropriate Minister.
Ian Ireland Ph. 06 277 2438
Chris Field Ph. 06 2772439
17 May 1996
Bills Digest Service
Parliamentary Research Service
This Digest does not have any official legal status. Other
sources should be consulted to determine whether the Bill has been
enacted and, if so, whether the subsequent Act reflects further
amendments.
PRS staff are available to discuss the paper's contents
with Senators and Members and their staff but not with members of
the public.
ISSN 1323-9032
© Commonwealth of Australia 1996
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of the Australian Parliament in the course of their official
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Published by the Department of the Parliamentary Library,
1996.
This page was prepared by the Parliamentary Library,
Commonwealth of Australia
Last updated: 23 May 1996
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