STATUTORY RULES.
1940. No. 16.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1939.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1939.
Dated this twenty-fourth day of January, 1940.
GOWRIE
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. A. STREET
Minister of State for the Army.
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Amendments of the Australian Military Regulations.†
Regulation 546 of the Australian Military Regulations is repealed, and the following regulations are inserted in its stead:—
Pharmaceutical Chemists.
“546. Persons who are legally qualified in a State or Territory to practise as pharmaceutical chemists may be appointed officers of the Australian Army Medical Corps (Citizen Forces) and be granted the rank of lieutenant, provisionally, on appointment.
Dentists.
“546a. Persons who are legally qualified in a State or Territory to practise as dentists may be appointed officers of the Australian Army Medical Corps (Citizen Forces).”
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 25th January, 1940.
† Statutory Rules, 1927, No. 149, as amended by Statutory Rules, 1928, Nos. 23, 28 and 126; 1929, No. 123; 1930, Nos. 20, 67 and 92; 1931, No. 13; 1932, Nos. 80, 87 and 125; 1933, Nos. 49 and 77; 1934, Nos. 26 and 80; 1935, Nos. 99 and 109; 1936, Nos. 21, 44 and 100; 1937, No. 45; 1938, Nos. 75, 90 and 93; and 1939, Nos. 31, 51, 58, 115, 123, 134, 160 and 173.
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By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.
523.—Price 3d.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1940 No. 16, enacted under the Defence Act 1903-1939, addresses the need for additional personnel with specific medical expertise within the Australian Army Medical Corps during a time of increasing military demands. This legislative instrument, issued by the Governor-General in the Federal Executive Council, seeks to facilitate the appointment of qualified pharmaceutical chemists and dentists as officers within the Citizen Forces. The overarching policy objective is to bolster the medical capabilities of the Australian Army by integrating professionals from these fields, thereby enhancing the quality and scope of medical services provided to military personnel.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1940, No. 16, made under the Defence Act 1903-1939, amend the Australian Military Regulations to incorporate provisions regarding the appointment of pharmaceutical chemists and dentists to the Australian Army Medical Corps (Citizen Forces). These regulations apply to individuals who are legally qualified to practise as pharmaceutical chemists or dentists in any state or territory of Australia. The amendment allows for the provisional appointment of these qualified individuals as officers in the Australian Army Medical Corps, granting them the rank of lieutenant. The scope of these regulations is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia and extends to all individuals who meet the specified qualifications in any part of the country. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in these regulations, but the appointments are made on a provisional basis pending confirmation of their qualifications and suitability. The application of these regulations can be further extended or modified through additional subordinate instruments, which may provide more detailed procedural and operational guidelines for the appointments.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of these Regulations (sections 546 and 546a) pertain to the appointment of qualified pharmaceutical chemists and dentists to the Australian Army Medical Corps (Citizen Forces). Under section 546, individuals legally qualified in a State or Territory to practise as pharmaceutical chemists can be appointed officers of the Australian Army Medical Corps (Citizen Forces) and may be granted the rank of lieutenant, provisionally, upon appointment. Similarly, section 546a allows for the appointment of legally qualified dentists to the Australian Army Medical Corps (Citizen Forces).
These Regulations impose specific obligations on both the qualified professionals and the Defence Force. For the qualified professionals, it provides them with an opportunity to serve their country in a specific capacity within the medical field. The Defence Force, on the other hand, is obligated to consider these qualified professionals for appointments within the Australian Army Medical Corps (Citizen Forces) when there are suitable vacancies or needs. This ensures that the Defence Force can draw on a wider pool of talent to enhance its medical capabilities.
Breaches of these Regulations, while not explicitly stated, could potentially lead to administrative consequences. For example, if a qualified professional were to be appointed without meeting the specified qualifications, this could lead to disciplinary action against both the individual and the Defence Force personnel responsible for the appointment. Additionally, if the Defence Force fails to consider qualified professionals for appointment when vacancies arise, this could be seen as a failure to properly manage resources and could result in administrative or disciplinary action. The exact penalties for such breaches would depend on the specific circumstances and the internal rules and regulations of the Defence Force.