31   Variation of authorised payments from Consolidated Fund

(1)  In this section, purpose means a purpose specified in Part 2 or 3 in relation to a Minister to which a sum is appropriated for recurrent services or for capital works and services.

(2)  Payment of a sum appropriated under Part 2 or 3 for a purpose may not be made in excess of the sum specified for the purpose or, if the same purpose is specified in Parts 2 and 3, the total sum specified for that purpose, except as provided by this section or Division 4 of Part 2 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983.

(3)  If the exigencies of government so require, the Treasurer may authorise the payment of a sum in excess of the sum or total sum specified for a purpose, but only if an equivalent sum is not paid out for another purpose, whether the other purpose is specified in relation to the same or a different Minister, subject to subsections (4) and (5).

(4)  A sum appropriated for recurrent services may only be paid out for recurrent services and a sum appropriated for capital works and services may only be paid out for capital works and services.

(5)  A sum appropriated under Part 3 may only be paid out for a purpose specified in Part 3.

(6)  This section does not apply to sums appropriated by another Act.

(7)  This section does not enable the Treasurer to authorise the payment of a sum in augmentation of, or as an addition to, any salary or wages the amount of which has been fixed by law.

(8)  The Treasurer is to inform the Auditor-General of every authorisation given under this section.

(9)  An authorisation under this section may be given before or after the relevant payment is made.