STATUTORY RULES.
1920. No. 13.
REGULATION UNDER THE AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS’ REPATRIATION ACT 1917–1918.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1917–1918, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this sixteenth day of January, 1920.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
E. D. MILLEN,
Minister of State for Repatriation.
Amendment of Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Regulations 1919.
(Statutory Rules 1919, No. 123, as amended by Statutory Rules 1919, Nos. 263, 274, 276, 278, 290, and 295.)
Regulation 99 of the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Regulations is amended by inserting in sub-regulation (1), after the word “Department”, the words “or the Secretary of a Local Committee.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 13, issued under the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1917–1918, address the need for streamlined administrative processes concerning the repatriation benefits for Australian soldiers. Enacted by the Governor-General in the Commonwealth of Australia, with advice from the Federal Executive Council, these regulations amend the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Regulations 1919, specifically adjusting the scope of authority within the Department or Local Committees to expedite claims processing and improve service delivery to soldiers and their families. The overarching policy objective is to ensure efficient and effective management of repatriation benefits, reflecting the government's commitment to supporting returned service personnel.
Scope and Application
This Statutory Rule, numbered 1920 No. 13, is a regulation made under the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1917–1918, designed to amend the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Regulations 1919. The regulation specifically targets Regulation 99, altering the sub-regulation to extend its applicability to include the Secretary of a Local Committee, in addition to the Department. This amendment signifies an expansion of the scope of persons or entities involved in the administration and oversight of repatriation benefits and services, thereby ensuring that these processes are streamlined and effectively managed at both the national and local levels. The regulation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, reinforcing the federal nature of the repatriation provisions and ensuring consistency in the application of the Act and its subordinate regulations. The exclusions and thresholds, as originally set forth in the 1919 Regulations, remain unchanged by this amendment, which solely extends the administrative reach to include Local Committee Secretaries.
Key Provisions
The key provision of the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Regulations 1919, as amended by the Statutory Rules 1919, No. 13, is found in Regulation 99, which has been modified to include the Secretary of a Local Committee in the authority to make decisions regarding the repatriation of soldiers. Specifically, Regulation 99(1) now acknowledges that decisions can be made by the Department or the Secretary of a Local Committee, expanding the scope of who has the power to make these important decisions (Reg. 99(1)).
This regulation imposes obligations on the Department of Repatriation and the Local Committees to ensure that decisions regarding the repatriation of soldiers are handled with the utmost care and attention. The Department, or the Secretary of a Local Committee, must now consider the individual circumstances of each soldier applying for repatriation, ensuring that the process is fair, transparent, and responsive to the needs of those who have served their country (Reg. 99(1)).
Failure to comply with the provisions of this regulation may result in significant consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the text, it can be inferred that breaches of these regulations could lead to legal action, potentially resulting in civil or criminal penalties. The exact nature of these penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and the specific provisions of the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1917–1918. However, given the importance of the decisions involved, it is likely that penalties for non-compliance could be substantial (Reg. 99(1)).
The inclusion of the Secretary of a Local Committee in the decision-making process is a significant change, aimed at decentralising the authority and ensuring that decisions are made closer to the affected individuals. This amendment reflects a recognition of the need for more localised decision-making, which can be more responsive and effective. By empowering Local Committees, the regulation seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the repatriation process, ensuring that soldiers receive the support they need as quickly and smoothly as possible.