STATUTORY RULES.
1919. No. 236.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1918.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1918, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this twenty-fourth day of September, 1919.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
E. J. RUSSELL,
Acting Minister of State for Defence.
Amendment of Financial and Allowance Regulations.
Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Australian Military Forces and Senior Cadets are amended as follows:—
(1) Regulation 27 is repealed and the following regulation made in lieu thereof:—
“27. The District Finance Officer shall also represent in writing to the District Commandant any matter which comes to his knowledge wherein he considers that savings of expenditure could be effected. A copy of every such representation and of the Commandant’s remarks thereon will be forwarded to the Civil Member.”
(2) Regulations 76a, 84a, 87a, and 87b are amended by adding the following words in each case:—
“Notwithstanding anything contained in this regulation Warrant Officers in receipt of consolidated pay of £220 per annum and upwards may be paid a War Allowance of 9d. per diem during the period 1st July, 1919, to 31st December, 1919.”
(3) Sub-regulation (1) of regulation 81a is amended by adding the following words:—
“Notwithstanding anything contained in this sub-regulation Warrant Officers in receipt of consolidated pay of £220 and upwards may be paid a War Allowance of 9d. per diem during the period 1st July, 1919, to 31st December, 1919.”
(4) Sub-regulation (a) of regulation 89 is repealed and the following sub-regulation made in lieu thereof, to take effect as from 1st March, 1919.
“(a) The following shall be the scale of pay (inclusive, of rations and all allowances other than travelling and uniform allowances) to govern all future appointments, promotions, or increments:—
Rank. | Minimum per Annum. | | Maximum per Annum. | Increments. |
1st Class W.O................... | £240 | to | £285 | Biennial increment of £15 |
| | | |
2nd Class W.O.................. | £225 | to | £235 | £5 annually |
Staff Sergeants................. | £210 | to | £220 | £5 annually |
Assistant Artificers. | |
Sergeants..................... | £185 (fixed rate) | |
Gunners, Bombardiers, and Corporals | £155 | to | £180 | £5 annually |
Members whose rates of pay on 1/3/19 do not coincide with one of the existing subdivisions will be paid the subdivisional rate next higher than the amount they were receiving on that date.
Future increments will date from date last increment was received under old regulation excepting in the cases of members who were on the maximum of the grade and have been advanced under this regulation to next sub-division. In such cases future increments will date from 1/3/19.”
(5) Sub-regulation (f) of regulation 89 is repealed as from 1st March, 1919.
(6) Regulation 150 is amended by deleting the words “District Finance Officer” wherever they occur and inserting the words “Authorizing Officer” in lieu thereof in each case.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1919 No. 236, Regulations Under the Defence Act 1903-1918, was enacted in 1919 and addresses the need for amendments to financial and allowance regulations for the Australian Military Forces and Senior Cadets. This legislative instrument was made by the Governor-General in Council, under the authority conferred by the Defence Act 1903-1918. The primary objective of these regulations is to ensure efficient financial management and to provide specific allowances to military personnel during a period of post-war transition. The regulations introduce changes to the allowance structure for certain ranks, update the representation process for potential savings, and modify the payment procedures for financial officers.
Scope and Application
These regulations, made under the Defence Act 1903-1918, pertain to financial and allowance regulations for members of the Australian Military Forces and Senior Cadets. The Act applies to all members of the Australian Military Forces, including those in the Cadets, with specific provisions regarding financial and allowance matters. The regulations establish new rules concerning the representation of potential expenditure savings by the District Finance Officer to the District Commandant, the payment of war allowances to certain Warrant Officers, the adjustment of pay scales for various ranks, and the substitution of the term "Authorising Officer" in place of "District Finance Officer". The regulations have a Commonwealth reach, applying across Australia as they are made under a federal Act. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in the text of these regulations. The application and enforcement of these regulations may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which are not detailed in the provided excerpt.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of these regulations pertain to the financial and allowance regulations for the Australian Military Forces and Senior Cadets. Regulation 27, as amended, requires the District Finance Officer to notify the District Commandant in writing of any matter that may result in savings of expenditure, with copies of these communications to be sent to the Civil Member (Reg. 27). Additionally, Regulations 76a, 84a, 87a, 87b, and 81a have been modified to allow for a War Allowance of 9d per diem for Warrant Officers earning a consolidated pay of £220 per annum and above during the period from 1 July 1919 to 31 December 1919 (Regs. 76a, 84a, 87a, 87b, and 81a). Regulation 89 is substantially revised to establish a new scale of pay for various ranks, inclusive of rations and allowances other than travelling and uniform allowances, with specified minimum and maximum annual rates and increments (Reg. 89). Regulation 150 is amended to replace references to the “District Finance Officer” with “Authorizing Officer” (Reg. 150).
These regulations impose several obligations and requirements on the relevant parties. The District Finance Officer is mandated to communicate in writing to the District Commandant any matters that may lead to expenditure savings (Reg. 27). The revised scales of pay and allowances set out in Regulation 89 must be adhered to for all future appointments, promotions, and increments, with specific minimum and maximum rates and increment schedules for different ranks (Reg. 89). Additionally, the War Allowance of 9d per diem for certain Warrant Officers during the specified period must be implemented (Regs. 76a, 84a, 87a, 87b, and 81a). The term “Authorizing Officer” replaces “District Finance Officer” in Regulation 150, indicating a change in the person responsible for authorising certain financial transactions (Reg. 150).
Failure to comply with these regulations could result in various consequences. Although the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in the regulations, breaches of such financial and allowance regulations could potentially lead to disciplinary action, financial penalties, or other administrative repercussions as determined by the relevant authorities. The maximum penalties, if applicable, would be as prescribed by the Defence Act 1903-1918 or any other relevant legislation.