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Commonwealth act
This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.
This is a retrospective appropriation act — meaning it legally authorises (after the fact) money that had already been spent by the Australian Government.
Specifically, it formally approves the spending of £28,128 (about $2.8 million in today's terms) from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (the main government bank account that holds public money collected through taxes and other revenue). This money was spent during the financial year ending 30 June 1923 on physical infrastructure — buildings, construction, and works projects.
The money had already been paid out before this Act was passed. This legislation gives that spending retrospective legal authorisation, treating it as if it had been properly approved from the time of the original Appropriation Act (No. 8 of 1922). Without this, the spending would have lacked a proper legal foundation under Commonwealth law.
Three government departments received funds for specific projects:
Home and Territories Department – £2,318
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Direct links to the current provisions in Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Act 1922-23.
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View on official registerSourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Department of Defence – £10,544
Postmaster-General's Department – £15,266
This Act is a routine but constitutionally important piece of housekeeping. Under the Australian Constitution, the government cannot spend public money without parliamentary authorisation. When actual spending in a financial year exceeds what was originally approved, a supplementary appropriation act like this one is passed to bring the books into legal order. It ensures parliamentary oversight and accountability over public finances — even after the money has gone out the door.