Commonwealth act

Defence Equipment Act 1939

RepealedCTH

This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.

Jurisdiction

Commonwealth

Act Number

25 of 1939

Collection

act

Plain English Summary

1/10 complexity

This law authorised a one-off payment of £627,309 from Australia's national budget into a special Defence Equipment Trust Account.

What it does The Act appropriates (formally allocates) public money specifically for purchasing military equipment. The funds are transferred from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (the government's main bank account) to a trust account established in 1934 to hold money earmarked for defence purchases.

Who it affects This spending was funded by Australian taxpayers and used to equip the nation's armed forces.

Why it matters Passed immediately after the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, this Act provided rapid parliamentary approval for emergency defence spending. It demonstrates how the government secures funds for urgent national priorities through simple, direct legislation.

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Current sections

Direct links to the current provisions in Defence Equipment Act 1939.

Defence Equipment Act 1939

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DEFENCE EQUIPMENT.

No. 25 of 1939.

An Act to grant and apply out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund a sum for Defence purposes.

[Assented to 21st September, 1939.]

Preamble.

BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, for the purpose of appropriating the grant originated in the House of Representatives, as follows:—

Short title.

1. This Act may be cited as the Defence Equipment Act 1939.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

Payment to Defence Equipment Trust Account.

3. There shall be payable out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is hereby appropriated accordingly, to the credit of the Defence Equipment Trust Account established by the Defence Equipment Act 1934, the amount of Six hundred and twenty-seven thousand three hundred and nine pounds.

Source text

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.