Australian Film Development Corporation Regulations

Overview

The Australian Film Development Corporation Regulations 1971 were enacted to provide guidelines and allowances for members of the Australian Film Development Corporation. These regulations were established under the Australian Film Development Corporation Acts 1970 and were made by the Governor-General with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure that members of the Corporation are adequately compensated for their travel expenses, both within Australia and overseas, when carrying out their duties. The regulations address the need for a structured approach to managing travel allowances for the Corporation's members, ensuring that they receive appropriate remuneration for their work-related travel.

Scope and Application

The Australian Film Development Corporation Regulations, made under the Australian Film Development Corporation Acts 1970, apply to members of the Australian Film Development Corporation, specifically those who are officers of the Commonwealth Public Service or officers of a Commonwealth authority, as defined in the regulations. These regulations outline the allowances for travel both within Australia and outside Australia for these members while they are on official duty. The regulations specify the rates of travel allowance to be paid to members, distinguishing between prescribed members, who are entitled to allowances based on their Public Service or Commonwealth authority duties, and other members, who receive a flat rate. Furthermore, these regulations extend their application to cover any period of office after the 21st of October 1970, and they are subject to modification through subordinate instruments to adapt to changing circumstances or administrative requirements.

Key Provisions

The Australian Film Development Corporation Regulations 1971 (C1971L00024) establish provisions for allowances and payments to members of the Australian Film Development Corporation. Under section 3, a member who is necessarily absent overnight from their usual place of residence in connection with their duties is entitled to a travelling allowance. The allowance is set at Twenty-one dollars per day for members who are not prescribed members, and at the rate applicable to Public Service officers or Commonwealth authority officers for prescribed members, as per section 3(1). Section 4 further clarifies that members performing duties outside Australia are entitled to travelling allowances equivalent to those of Public Service officers or Commonwealth authority officers, as appropriate. Importantly, if a member is entitled to an allowance under section 4, they are not entitled to the same under section 3, as stated in section 4(2). Section 5 specifies that these regulations apply to periods of office after 21 October 1970. The Regulations impose specific obligations on members of the Australian Film Development Corporation. They must ensure that any claims for travelling allowances are substantiated and made in accordance with the prescribed rates and conditions outlined in sections 3 and 4. Members must also ensure that they do not claim allowances under both sections 3 and 4 for the same period. These obligations are designed to maintain transparency and fairness in the allowance payments system. Breach of the Regulations could lead to serious consequences. While the Regulations themselves do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences, any misuse of allowances or non-compliance with the prescribed conditions could be construed as a breach of trust and potentially lead to disciplinary actions, financial penalties, or other administrative measures as deemed appropriate by the governing authorities. It is important for members to adhere strictly to the conditions set out in the Regulations to avoid any adverse outcomes.