Council of Defence Regulations (Cth)

STATUTORY RULES.

1935. No. 37.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1934.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1934.

Dated this ninth day of April, 1935.

(Sgd.) ISAAC A. ISAACS.

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Minister of State for Defence.

Short title.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Council of Defence Regulations.

Repeal.

2. The Council of Defence Regulations (being Statutory Rules 1923, No. 159 as amended by Statutory Rules 1925, No. 141 and 1930, No. 68) are hereby repealed.

Constitution.

3.—(1.) A Council of Defence is hereby constituted in pursuance of section 28 of the Defence Act 1903-1934, and shall consist of:—

The Prime Minister;

The Treasurer;

The Minister for External Affairs;

The Minister for Defence.

The Chief of the Naval Staff;

The Chief of the General Staff;

The Chief of the Air Staff.

(2.) The Prime Minister may summon such other Ministers or persons as he thinks fit to attend any meeting of the Council, and such Ministers or persons shall, for the time being, be deemed to be members of the Council.

(3.) In the event of the unavoidable absence from any meeting of the Council of the Chief of Staff of any Service, the Second Member of the Board of that Service may represent him at the meeting and shall, for the time being, be deemed to be a member of the Council.

Functions of Council.

4. The functions of the Council of Defence shall be to consider and advise upon any questions of defence policy or organization which are referred to the Council by the Prime Minister or the Minister for Defence.

1285.—6/2.4.1935.—Price 3d.

 

Meetings.

5.—(1.) Meetings of the Council shall be summoned by the Prime Minister, by notice specifying the time and place of the meeting, and the questions to be considered.

(2.) Three Ministers (of whom two shall be the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence), the Chief of the Naval Staff, the Chief of the General Staff, and the Chief of the Air Staff (or, in the event of the unavoidable absence of any of those officers, the member of the Board representing him) shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Council.

(3.) The Prime Minister, when present, and, in his absence the Senior Minister present, shall preside at meetings of the Council.

Sub-committees.

6. For the purpose of the investigation of any matter arising out of its functions, the Council of Defence may appoint Sub-Committees consisting of such persons as the Council may determine.

Rules and procedure.

7. The Council may determine its rules and order of procedure:

Provided that all executive action in connexion with the Council shall be taken through existing official channels.

Secretary of the Council.

8.—(1.) The Secretary, Department of Defence, shall act as Secretary of the Council of Defence, and, in his absence, the officer for the time being performing the duties of the Secretary to the Department shall act as the Secretary of the Council.

(2.) The Secretary shall keep Minutes of the proceedings at meetings of the Council.

(3.) The Minister for Defence may appoint as Assistant Secretaries, the Secretary, Defence Committee, and representatives of the Naval, Military, and Air Services, respectively, who shall be responsible to the Secretary of the Council.

 

By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.