EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1985 NO. 72
ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
AIR FORCE (WOMEN’S SERVICES) REGULATIONS (REPEAL)
The Air Force (Women’s Services) Regulations, made under the Air Force Act 1923, made special provision for the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service and the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force. Members of those services have now been assimilated into the Royal Australian Air Force and there is no longer a need for separate provisions for female members.
This Statutory Rule repeals the Air Force (Women’s Services) Regulations.
The repeal has effect from the date of Gazettal of the Statutory Rule.
Overview
The Air Force (Women’s Services) Regulations (Repeal) Statutory Rules 1985 No. 72, issued by the authority of the Minister for Defence, repeals the Air Force (Women’s Services) Regulations, which were originally enacted under the Air Force Act 1923. These repealed regulations had made specific provisions for the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service and the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force. As members of these services have now been assimilated into the Royal Australian Air Force, the separate provisions for female members are no longer necessary. The policy objective behind this repeal is to streamline the legislative framework by removing outdated regulations that are no longer required. The repeal took effect from the date of the Gazettal of the Statutory Rule.
Scope and Application
The Air Force (Women’s Services) Regulations (Repeal) Statutory Rule 1985 No. 72, issued under the authority of the Minister for Defence, concerns the repeal of the Air Force (Women’s Services) Regulations, which were originally established under the Air Force Act 1923. These regulations made special provisions for the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service and the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force. With the assimilation of members from these services into the Royal Australian Air Force, the need for separate provisions for female members has been eliminated. This repeal is intended to streamline regulations and reflect the current structure and integration within the Air Force. The repeal takes effect from the date of the Statutory Rule's publication in the Gazette.
Key Provisions
The main provisions of the Air Force (Women’s Services) Regulations (Repeal) Statutory Rules 1985 No. 72, which were originally established under the Air Force Act 1923, concern the repeal of these regulations (s. 3). These regulations had previously provided specific provisions for the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service and the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force, catering to the unique needs and roles of female members within the Air Force. With the assimilation of these services into the Royal Australian Air Force, the need for separate provisions has diminished, prompting the legislative action to repeal these regulations (s. 3).
The Air Force (Women’s Services) Regulations (Repeal) Statutory Rules impose a clear obligation to remove outdated regulatory frameworks that no longer serve a purpose within the current operational structure of the Air Force. The repeal of these regulations (s. 3) signifies a formal recognition that the special provisions previously designated for female members of the Air Force are no longer required. This aligns with the broader integration of all members into a unified service structure, ensuring that all personnel are governed by the same standards and regulations.
In terms of consequences, there are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined in these statutory rules. The primary focus is on the administrative and structural update of the regulatory framework to reflect the current state of the Air Force. The repeal itself is effective from the date of its Gazettal (s. 3), which serves as the formal notice of the repeal and the date from which the old regulations cease to have any legal effect. This ensures a smooth transition and eliminates any ambiguity regarding the continued applicability of the repealed regulations.