Defence (Re-establishment Loans) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1973 No. 175, made under the Defence (Re-establishment) Act 1965-1968, were enacted to amend the Defence (Re-establishment Loans) Regulations, specifically targeting the prescribed authorities involved in the administration of defence re-establishment loans. This legislative instrument was introduced to ensure that the regulation aligns with the current roles and responsibilities within the Department of Primary Industry. The enactment was authorised by the Governor-General, Paul Hasluck, in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and it was published in the Commonwealth Gazette on 1973. The policy objective behind these amendments is to clarify and update the roles of specific officers involved in the processing and management of defence re-establishment loans, thereby ensuring that the regulatory framework remains effective and relevant. This legislative instrument represents a refinement in the administration of defence-related financial support, ensuring that the necessary personnel within the Department of Primary Industry are correctly identified and empowered to carry out their duties in accordance with the Act. The changes aim to streamline the process and maintain the integrity and efficiency of the loan administration process within the context of defence re-establishment efforts.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1973 No. 175, made under the Defence (Re-establishment) Act 1965-1968, specifically amends the Defence (Re-establishment Loans) Regulations. This regulation primarily affects certain personnel within the Department of Primary Industry by redefining the scope of prescribed authorities eligible for loans under the Act. The amendment removes previous references and adds new roles, specifically the First Assistant Secretary in the Agriculture and Food Services Division and the Assistant Secretary in the Grants Administration Branch, both within the Department of Primary Industry. This regulation impacts these individuals by either directly or indirectly performing the duties of the specified offices. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this legislative instrument is limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, applying nationwide as a federal regulation. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the text of the regulation itself, though broader legislative principles and subordinate instruments may provide additional context or limitations. The regulation extends the application of the Act by specifying additional roles within the Department of Primary Industry, thus broadening the scope of individuals eligible for loans under the Defence (Re-establishment Loans) Regulations.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation, specifically the Statutory Rules 1973 No. 18, involve amendments to the Defence (Re-establishment Loans) Regulations under the Defence (Re-establishment) Act 1965-1968. Regulation 3 of these Regulations is altered to redefine the prescribed authorities that are eligible to access loans for re-establishment purposes. In particular, the amendment (a) involves the removal of a conjunction, and (b) replaces the existing paragraph (b) with two new paragraphs. These new paragraphs identify the First Assistant Secretary in the Agriculture and Food Services Division of the Department of Primary Industry and the Assistant Secretary in the Grants Administration Branch, Agriculture and Food Services Division, of the Department of Primary Industry as eligible for these loans. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act are primarily administrative in nature. By amending the Defence (Re-establishment Loans) Regulations, the Act seeks to clarify and expand the categories of individuals eligible for loans aimed at facilitating the re-establishment of service personnel. This is achieved by specifically naming new positions within the Department of Primary Industry that now qualify for these loans. This change is intended to ensure that more individuals who are integral to the functioning of these divisions can benefit from the financial support provided by the Defence (Re-establishment) Act 1965-1968. As for the consequences of breaching any provisions of this legislation, it is important to note that statutory rules like these are typically enforced through administrative processes rather than through specific criminal or civil penalties. However, any failure to comply with the amended regulations could result in disqualification from receiving loans intended for re-establishment. The primary remedy for non-compliance would be the denial of loan eligibility to those who do not meet the newly defined criteria. This means that any individuals who do not fit within the specified categories would not be able to access the financial support provided by these regulations, thereby impacting their ability to re-establish themselves following service.