Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Defence Amendment Act 1979 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to address gaps in the legislative framework governing the Australian Defence Force. This legislation aimed to provide the necessary tools for the interim adjustment of salaries and allowances within the defence force to ensure they are reflective of current economic conditions and service demands. The Interim Determination under the Defence Amendment Act 1979 was made by the Minister of State for Defence, D. J. Killen, to address the immediate need to adjust the salary of senior chaplains. The policy objective was to implement a fair and timely adjustment in remuneration to maintain the efficiency and morale of the defence force personnel.

Scope and Application

The Interim Determination under the Defence Amendment Act 1979, made by the Minister of State for Defence, modifies the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations to adjust the senior chaplain’s allowance. This legislative instrument applies specifically to members of the defence force, impacting their remuneration. The amendments to Regulation 16 of the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations are effective from 6 July 1979, with a transitional provision adjusting the allowance retroactively for the period from 8 June 1979 to 5 July 1979. The Interim Determination is a Commonwealth instrument, exerting its influence across all states and territories within Australia, ensuring uniformity in the application of salary adjustments for defence force members. The act does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, thus it applies broadly to all affected members of the defence force as per the specified regulations.

Key Provisions

The Interim Determination under the Defence Amendment Act 1979, made by the Minister of State for Defence on 19 December 1979, primarily amends the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations (section 1). Specifically, Regulation 16 of the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations is altered to adjust the allowance for senior chaplains, changing the previous amount of $382 to $589 (section 1). This amendment is set to apply to services rendered on or after 6 July 1979 (section 2). Additionally, a transitional provision is included to ensure that the regulation applies retroactively to services performed during the period from 8 June 1979 to 5 July 1979, with the allowance amount deemed to have been $571 during that time (section 3). Under the amended regulations, the obligations for the Defence Force now include the payment of the revised allowance for senior chaplains, which was updated to reflect the new rates set forth in the Interim Determination. This change ensures that the remuneration for senior chaplains is aligned with the updated figures, thereby maintaining equitable compensation for their roles within the Defence Force. The transitional provision ensures that any chaplains who served during the interim period receive the correct allowance, reflecting the intended adjustments in a timely and accurate manner. The Interim Determination does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches within the legislative instrument itself. However, any failure to comply with the amended regulations may result in legal repercussions under the Defence Amendment Act 1979 or other relevant legislation. Given the nature of Defence Force regulations, breaches could potentially lead to disciplinary actions or other administrative penalties, although specific sanctions would be dictated by broader Defence Force regulations and military law.