Defence Determination, Conditions of service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument 2023 (No. 15)

Overview

The Defence Determination, Conditions of service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument 2023 (No. 15) was enacted to address the need for a financial allowance for specific Defence Force members during the COVID-19 pandemic. This instrument was issued by the Department of Defence under the authority of section 4.12.4 of Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service. The primary policy objective is to provide financial support to eligible members through the Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance, recognising the additional burdens and risks faced by these individuals during the pandemic. The allowance is designed to be payable from 2 August 2023 to those members who fall within the specified class as outlined in Schedule 1 of this instrument. This determination ensures that Defence Force members who meet the criteria for the allowance are compensated appropriately for their service and the unique challenges they encountered during the COVID-19 crisis.

Scope and Application

The Defence Determination, Conditions of service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument 2023 (No. 15) applies to certain members of the Australian Defence Force, specifically those assigned particular PMKeyS numbers as outlined in Schedule 1 of the instrument. This instrument, which comes into effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislation, provides for the payment of the Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance to eligible members starting from 2 August 2023. The allowance is intended to support members during the COVID-19 pandemic. This instrument is made under section 4.12.4 of Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service, and its scope is limited to the specified class of Defence Force members, with no stated exclusions or exemptions beyond the PMKeyS numbers listed. Subordinate instruments may further define the terms and conditions of the allowance, but no such instruments are referenced in this particular determination.

Key Provisions

The Defence Determination, Conditions of service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument 2023 (No. 15) outlines the payment of an Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance to eligible Defence members. According to section 4, the allowance is payable from 2 August 2023. This determination is applicable to members assigned specific PMKeyS numbers, which are detailed in Schedule 1 of the instrument. The instrument comes into effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislation, as stated in section 2. The allowance is granted under the authority of section 4.12.4 of Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service, as indicated in section 3. The obligations under this determination include the requirement for Defence members who meet the specified criteria to receive the Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance. The Defence Department is responsible for ensuring that the allowance is paid to eligible members from the specified start date. Members must be assigned one of the PMKeyS numbers listed in Schedule 1 to be eligible for the allowance. The Defence Department must also ensure that all payments are processed accurately and on time, adhering to the conditions set out in the instrument. There are no explicit provisions detailing offences, penalties, or consequences for breach within the text of this instrument. However, failure to comply with Defence regulations and directives, including the timely payment of allowances, could potentially result in administrative or disciplinary actions. The specific penalties for such actions would depend on the Defence Force Regulations and the Defence Force Discipline Regulations, which are not outlined in this particular instrument.