"You Need To Acquit That" ... What?!

An acquittal is, to my mind, something that happens at a court, but if you're a Northern Territory government process, you have another meaning.

Let's start with what we know to be true as the day is long, always has been, and always will b---, well maybe not always will be - is this your understanding?

Note the archaic reference at the bottom there, I suspect we might be onto something.

Over the past few work weeks I've heard and read the word, "acquittal" on forms for leave, travel, car use, and all manner of processes. What does it mean in this context?

In the first few weeks I received an email from someone in HQ asking me to "acquit" some travel but that was just before getting stuck in Alice Springs and by the time I returned there was a follow-up telling me not to worry and they acquitted it for me. I had no idea what had happened.

Today I asked, "Um, what does 'acquittal' mean in Australia, specially when a government process mentions it?"

So, it seems to be the final step in a process. The best way I can explain it is to give examples.

Applying to use a school vehicle.

1. Fill in school vehicle use form
2. Send form to get approval
3. Principal declines, it comes back to you
4. You acquit it

Applying for reimbursement.

1. Fill in reimbursement form
2. Send form to get approval
3. Finance accepts it
4. You get paid (no acquittal needed)

It seems that the acquittal stage is to close off any forms hanging around in a process, especially all those that didn't get approved and actioned.

• ARCHAIC discharge (a duty or responsibility). "they acquitted themselves of their charge with vigilance"

Now, I'm not gonna say any government is archaic, maybe we look at it as a quirk of bureaucratic language and a lovely nod back to the past.

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