Defence Determination, Conditions of service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument (No. 15) 2025

Overview

The Defence Determination, Conditions of Service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument (No. 15) 2025 was enacted to address the need for financial assistance to Defence members during the COVID-19 pandemic. This instrument was introduced under the authority of section 4.12.4 of the Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service, and was made by Michael Ian McCulloch, Director Drafting and Engagement within the Department of Defence. The policy objective of this instrument is to provide the Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance to members who fall within the specified class, ensuring they receive financial support during this challenging period. This allowance is payable from 30 July 2025 and applies to members assigned specific PMKeyS numbers as outlined in Schedule 1 of the instrument.

Scope and Application

The Defence Determination, Conditions of service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument (No. 15) 2025 applies to specific members within the Defence Force who fall under certain PMKeyS numbers as outlined in Schedule 1 of the Instrument. The allowance is applicable to members assigned to the specified PMKeyS numbers, ensuring that the support provided under Operation COVID-19 ASSIST reaches the intended recipients. This instrument is effective from the date of its registration on the Federal Register of Legislation. The allowance itself is payable from 30 July 2025, providing timely support to the designated members. The instrument is made under section 4.12.4 of Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service, thereby establishing a clear legal framework for the administration and disbursement of the allowance. The instrument's provisions may be extended or refined through subordinate instruments, allowing for adjustments and clarifications as necessary to ensure the smooth implementation of the allowance.

Key Provisions

The Defence Determination, Conditions of service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument (No. 15) 2025 outlines the terms and conditions under which the Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance will be paid to eligible Defence members. According to section 4 of the instrument, this allowance is payable from 30 July 2025 to members who fall within the specified class detailed in Schedule 1. The members eligible for this allowance are identified by specific PMKeyS numbers, which are listed in the schedule. The instrument itself commences on the date of its registration on the Federal Register of Legislation, as per section 2. The Act imposes specific obligations on the Department of Defence to ensure the timely payment of the Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance to the eligible members. It mandates that the allowance be paid to members who meet the criteria outlined in the instrument and detailed in Schedule 1. The Department must verify the eligibility of each member against the provided PMKeyS numbers and process the payments accordingly. The Department is also responsible for ensuring that all members who qualify receive the allowance as per the commencement date specified in the instrument. While the instrument does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches, it is inherently understood that failure to comply with the terms of the instrument could result in legal and administrative repercussions. Given that this is a Defence instrument, non-compliance could lead to disciplinary action against Defence personnel responsible for the oversight of the allowance payments. Moreover, affected members may have grounds to seek redress through internal Defence grievance mechanisms or external legal avenues if they believe their rights under the instrument have been infringed. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as the applicable Defence regulations and policies.