Australian Soldiers' Repatriation (Staff) Regulations 1920 (Amendment)

Overview

The Staff Regulations under the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1920 were enacted in 1920 to regulate the administration of staff involved in the repatriation of soldiers, addressing the need for structured guidelines and allowances to support this process. This regulation was issued by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and is designed to ensure that staff involved in repatriating soldiers receive appropriate compensation for their duties. The policy objective is to provide a clear and fair scale of allowances to ensure that the personnel are adequately compensated for their roles in facilitating the repatriation of soldiers. These regulations were established to amend the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation (Staff) Regulations 1920, specifically modifying the scale of travelling allowances provided to staff. This adjustment aimed to provide more accurate and equitable compensation based on salary brackets, reflecting the cost of living and the duration of residence in a particular location. The regulation ensures that staff members are provided with the necessary support to perform their duties effectively and fairly.

Scope and Application

The Australian Soldiers' Repatriation (Staff) Regulations 1920 govern the conditions and allowances for staff employed under the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1920. These regulations are applicable to employees who are involved in the administration and execution of the Act's provisions, including those who manage the repatriation processes for soldiers and their families. The scope of these regulations extends to the financial entitlements of staff members, specifically detailing their travelling allowances based on their salary brackets. The regulations are national in their application, covering all Commonwealth territories as they pertain to the administration of the Act. While the primary focus of these regulations is on staff allowances, they do not extend to other areas such as the medical or welfare provisions for the soldiers themselves, which are addressed under separate legislative instruments. The regulations are subject to amendment through subsequent statutory rules, which allows for adjustments to the allowances and other conditions as necessary to reflect changes in economic conditions or policy objectives.

Key Provisions

The key provision of these regulations, as outlined in Regulation 72(1) of the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation (Staff) Regulations 1920, concerns the updated scale of travelling allowances for staff members. This regulation details the daily, weekly, and hourly allowances based on the salary of the staff member. For instance, a staff member earning £751 and over per week is entitled to a daily allowance of 20 shillings, a weekly allowance of 180 shillings, and an hourly rate of 1/24th of the daily rate or 1/168th of the weekly rate. Conversely, a staff member earning under £310 per week is entitled to a daily allowance of 11 shillings, a weekly allowance of 96 shillings, and an hourly rate of 1/24th of the daily rate or 1/168th of the weekly rate. This new scale supersedes the previous sub-regulation (1) and is designed to provide a clear and consistent basis for calculating travel allowances. These regulations impose specific obligations on the staff members of the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation service. The primary obligation is to adhere to the specified scale of allowances as outlined in Regulation 72(1). This includes accurately reporting their salary to ensure they are paid the correct daily, weekly, and hourly rates. The updated scale is designed to streamline the process of calculating travel allowances, ensuring that all staff members receive their entitlements accurately and promptly. Failure to comply with the provisions of these regulations can result in civil or criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the text of these regulations, breaches of similar legislative instruments typically result in fines or other penalties as prescribed by the relevant legislation. Additionally, persistent non-compliance could potentially lead to disciplinary action or termination of employment, as outlined in the broader employment conditions and terms of service for staff members within the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation service. It is crucial for staff members to understand and comply with these regulations to avoid any adverse consequences.