Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1979 No. 23, titled "Regulation under the Defence Act 1903, the Naval Defence Act 1910 and the Air Force Act 1923," was enacted to amend the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations. This regulation was introduced to make necessary adjustments to the remuneration structure of defence force personnel, specifically modifying the allowances provided under the post-allowance. The enactment was carried out by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to ensure that the regulations align with the current requirements and circumstances of the Australian Defence Force. The policy objective was to update the salary regulations to reflect changes in operational needs and economic conditions, thereby maintaining the effectiveness and efficiency of the defence force.

Scope and Application

The Regulation under the Defence Act 1903, the Naval Defence Act 1910, and the Air Force Act 1923 applies to the Australian Defence Force, encompassing the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Navy, and the Royal Australian Air Force. It primarily affects the members of these forces by amending the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations, specifically targeting the post-allowance provisions. This regulation is a Commonwealth instrument and thus applies nationally across Australia. The specific amendment omits a provision under sub-regulation (7)(b) of the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations, which presumably alters the financial entitlements or allowances for defence personnel. The regulation does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, but its effects are confined to the members of the Australian Defence Force and their specific salary structures. The regulation can be further extended or modified by additional subordinate instruments as necessary to align with changes in policy or legislation.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of this legislative instrument involve amendments to the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations, specifically changing Regulation 9a, sub-regulation (7), by omitting paragraph (b). This amendment effectively alters the allowances applicable to Defence Force personnel. The regulation is part of a series of amendments to the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations, as noted in the legislative instrument, which has been progressively amended through various Statutory Rules since 1973. Under this legislative instrument, the obligations imposed on Defence Force personnel primarily relate to their entitlements and allowances as specified in the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations. By omitting paragraph (b) from sub-regulation (7) of Regulation 9a, the regulations now exclude certain allowances that were previously applicable. This change requires Defence Force personnel to be aware of their updated entitlements and ensures that any financial obligations or benefits they receive are in line with the current regulatory framework. There are no explicit provisions in this legislative instrument detailing offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches of the amended regulations. However, it is implied that any failure to adhere to the updated allowances and entitlements as per the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations could result in non-compliance with Defence Force policy and potentially lead to disciplinary action or other administrative consequences. The specific penalties or consequences for such breaches would typically be governed by other Defence Force regulations or administrative guidelines, rather than this particular legislative instrument.