EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1984 NO. 187
ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
AIR FORCE REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
The Air Force Regulations (“the Regulations”), made under the Air Force Act 1923 (“the Act”), prescribe various matters relating to the administration of the Air Force.
This Statutory Rule amends various regulations providing for the appointment, transfer, rank and seniority of members of the Air Force.
Regulation 49 of the Regulations provides for the division of the Air Force into branches for the purposes of determining the duties, salary and retiring age of officers.
Paragraph 49(c) referred to the “equipment branch” and paragraph 49(e) referred to the “accountant branch”.
Regulation 1 of the Statutory Rule amends paragraph 49(c) to retitle the equipment branch as the supply branch, a name that reflects more closely the branch’s functions. Regulation 1 also omits paragraph 49(e) as the accountant branch no longer exists.
Regulation 50 of the Regulations prescribes the ranks of Air Force officers. Sub-regulation 50(4) prescribes the rights and privileges accorded to officers holding honorary rank. There was a reference in that sub-regulation to a substantive “commission”. Regulation 2 of the Statutory Rule amends sub-regulation 50(4) by substituting “appointment” for “commission”, to ensure consistency with other provisions of the Regulations.
Sections 4C and 4D of the Air Force Act 1923 include, as officers of the Air Force Emergency Force and Air Force Reserve, any officers transferred from the Permanent Air Force. Sub-regulation 51(5) of the Regulations referred to Chaplains of the Permanent Air Force being “appointed” to the Air Force Reserve or Air Force Emergency Force whereas the action concerned is a transfer, as envisaged by the Act.
Regulation 3 of the Statutory Rule amends sub-regulation 51(5) to reflect the fact that Chaplains who move from the Permanent Air Force to the Reserve or Emergency Force are transferred and not appointed.
The amendments have effect from the date of gazettal of the Statutory Rule.