Air Force Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1974 No. 160, made under the Air Force Act 1923-1973, was enacted to amend the Air Force Regulations, particularly focusing on updates to allowances and payments within the Air Force. The regulations were introduced by the Governor-General of Australia, acting on advice from the Executive Council. The primary objective of these amendments was to adjust financial allowances related to the entertainment of official visitors and education, ensuring that they reflect current economic conditions and requirements. The changes include increasing the limit on entertainment expenses for official visitors and adjusting education allowances to account for inflation and other cost factors. These amendments ensure that the financial support provided to Air Force members remains appropriate and reflective of the prevailing economic circumstances.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1974 No. 160, made under the Air Force Act 1923-1973, amend certain regulations concerning allowances for the entertainment of official visitors and education within the Australian Defence Force. Specifically, these regulations adjust financial thresholds and allowances for various categories of expenses. The amended regulations apply to all members of the Australian Defence Force, including the Royal Australian Air Force, and to their families, particularly in the context of education allowances. These amendments have a national reach, impacting all personnel within the Defence Force across Australia. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions mentioned within the regulations themselves, although the allowances and regulations are subject to further interpretation and application through subordinate instruments as may be issued under the authority of the Air Force Act. These regulations are designed to ensure that the financial provisions keep pace with economic changes and appropriately support the needs of Defence Force members and their families.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1974 No. 160 made under the Air Force Act 1923-1973, include amendments to the Air Force Regulations. Regulation 523 is amended to increase the limit for the entertainment of official visitors from one thousand three hundred dollars to five thousand dollars (Section 1). Regulation 634 is also amended to adjust the education allowance figures. Specifically, paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (3) changes from one thousand five hundred and sixty dollars to one thousand five hundred and ninety dollars, while paragraphs (b) and (c) of sub-regulation (3) change from two hundred and fifty dollars to two hundred and sixty dollars (Section 2(a) and (b)). Sub-regulation (3a) is updated from one thousand five hundred and sixty dollars to one thousand five hundred and ninety dollars, and sub-regulation (3d) is amended from two hundred and twenty-six dollars sixty-six cents to two hundred and sixty dollars (Section 2(c) and (d)). These amendments apply to education allowance payable for the attendance of a child at a school during the year that commenced on 1 January 1973 or any subsequent year (Section 3). These regulations impose specific financial obligations on the Air Force concerning the entertainment of official visitors and the education allowance for members. The amendment to Regulation 523 increases the financial limit for the entertainment of official visitors, reflecting the updated costs associated with hosting visitors. Similarly, the amendments to Regulation 634 adjust the education allowance figures to better reflect current educational costs. These changes ensure that the Air Force remains compliant with the financial commitments necessary to support its members and their families, particularly in the context of education and hospitality. For breach of these regulations, specific penalties are not outlined within the text of these statutory rules. However, under the general provisions of the Air Force Act 1923-1973, failure to adhere to the financial regulations could lead to various civil or administrative consequences, including financial penalties or recovery of improperly paid allowances. The exact penalties would depend on the specific nature and severity of the breach, and the applicable provisions of the overarching legislation.