Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1980 No. 4, made under the Defence Amendment Act 1979, were enacted to address the need for salary adjustments within the Defence Force. The Interim Determination, dated 11 January 1980, was made by the Minister of State for Administrative Services, acting on behalf of the Minister of State for Defence. This legislative instrument amends the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations to increase post allowances for members of the Air Force, Navy, and Army. The regulation increases the post allowance for Air Force members from $1,500 to $1,800 per year and from $1,050 to $1,260 per year for Navy and Army members, effective from 8 November 1979 and 9 November 1979, respectively. The policy objective behind these amendments is to ensure that the salaries of Defence Force members are adjusted to reflect changes in the economic environment and maintain their remuneration at a level commensurate with their service.

Scope and Application

The Interim Determination under the Defence Amendment Act 1979, made by the Minister of State for Administrative Services on behalf of the Minister of State for Defence, primarily concerns amendments to the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations. These amendments adjust the post allowance for members of the Air Force, Navy, and Army, effective from specified dates in November 1979. The regulation applies to members of the Air Force from 8 November 1979, and to members of the Navy and Army from 9 November 1979, thereby affecting their salaries. This interim measure is an application of the broader Defence Amendment Act 1979 and is designed to ensure that salary adjustments are promptly implemented within the Defence Force. The regulations themselves are part of a series of statutory rules that have been amended over time, with the latest amendments noted in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 January 1970.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislative instrument are sections 1 and 2. Section 1 outlines the interim determination made by the Minister of State for Administrative Services on behalf of the Minister of State for Defence under the Defence Amendment Act 1979, specifically amending the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations. Section 2 details the changes to the post allowance, increasing the annual amount from $1,500 to $1,800 for certain members of the Air Force, and from $1,050 to $1,260 for members of the Navy and Army. These amendments apply to service members beginning on specific dates: 8 November 1979 for Air Force members and 9 November 1979 for Navy and Army members. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act include the adjustment of post allowances for eligible service members, ensuring that the updated rates are applied from the specified dates. The determination explicitly states that the amended regulations will govern the salary structure for the affected members of the Defence Force, ensuring that all relevant personnel are compensated according to the new rates. The application of these changes is time-bound, necessitating adherence to the stipulated dates for the new allowances to take effect. Under this legislative instrument, there are no explicit provisions detailing offences, penalties, or consequences for breach. However, failure to comply with the mandated salary adjustments as specified could potentially lead to disputes or legal challenges by affected service members. It is important for the Defence Force to ensure that the new allowances are correctly applied to maintain compliance and avoid any legal ramifications that may arise from non-compliance.