Air Force Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Air Force Regulations 1977 were made under the authority of the Air Force Act 1923, with the purpose of amending the existing Air Force Regulations to adjust the allowances payable in respect of authorised journeys. Enacted by the Governor-General, John R. Kerr, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia and with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations provide specific amendments to the financial provisions for travel-related allowances for Air Force members. The regulations came into effect for authorised journeys made after 4 August 1976, with a transitional provision ensuring that members were paid the greater of the old or new rates for journeys made between 4 August 1976 and 19 January 1977. The intent behind these amendments is to reflect changes in economic conditions and ensure that allowances remain appropriate and fair for Air Force personnel.

Scope and Application

The Air Force Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1977 No. 38, apply to authorised journeys undertaken by members of the Australian Air Force after 4 August 1976, with specific provisions for journeys made between 4 August 1976 and 19 January 1977. The regulations govern the allowances payable to members in respect of these journeys, detailing specific amounts and conditions for the payments. The regulations extend to encompass all members of the Air Force who undertake authorised journeys within the specified timeframe, ensuring that they receive the appropriate compensation in accordance with the amended provisions. The scope of these regulations is limited to the context of authorised journeys and related allowances, without any stated exclusions or exemptions. The application of these regulations is national in scope, reflecting the federal nature of the Australian Air Force, and they are subject to amendment through subordinate instruments as needed.

Key Provisions

The statutory rules introduced under the Air Force Act 1923, particularly the amendments to the Air Force Regulations (Section 1), adjust the allowances payable for authorized journeys. These amendments involve specific changes to the figures in various sub-regulations. For instance, in Regulation 579, the figures in columns 2, 3, 4, and 5 of sub-regulation (1) are updated, while columns 1, 2, 3, and 4 of sub-regulation (2) are also revised. Additionally, the figures "3.50" and "2.80" in sub-regulation (3) are substituted with "3.85" and "3.10" respectively. These amendments apply to journeys made after 4 August 1976, with transitional provisions for journeys occurring between 4 August 1976 and 19 January 1977 (Section 2). The regulations impose specific obligations on the Air Force personnel regarding the application of these updated allowances. Members of the Air Force must adhere to the new figures when claiming allowances for authorized journeys. The transitional provisions require that for journeys made before 19 January 1977, the member must be paid the greater of the amount payable under the previous regulations or the amount payable under the amended regulations. There are no explicit provisions in the legislation concerning offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach. However, the adherence to these regulations is critical to ensure proper financial administration within the Air Force. Non-compliance with these allowances might lead to administrative issues, including potential audits or financial discrepancies, although specific penalties are not outlined in the provided text.