Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Australian Military Forces and Senior Cadets (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1918, No. 304, represents a regulatory amendment under the Defence Act 1903-1918, enacted by the Governor-General on 13 November 1918, with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for financial and allowance regulations concerning warrant officers who had previously held commissioned ranks in the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War and had been granted honorary ranks for the duration of the conflict. The enacting body was the Federal Executive Council, with the intent to ensure that these warrant officers receive appropriate field allowances when they were in camp and using officers’ mess facilities, reflecting their wartime service and rank. This regulation aimed to provide a measure of financial recognition and support to those who had demonstrated significant commitment and service to the nation during the war.

Scope and Application

This statutory rule, numbered 1918. No. 304, constitutes a regulation made under the Defence Act 1903-1918. It amends Regulation 230 of the Financial and Allowance Regulations to extend the payment of Field Allowance to warrant officers of the Permanent Forces who have held commissioned rank in the Australian Imperial Force and have been granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant in the Australian Military Forces for the duration of the war. This amendment allows these warrant officers to be compensated for field allowance during periods they are stationed in camps and dining in officers’ messes. The regulation applies specifically to the Commonwealth of Australia and affects warrant officers who meet the outlined criteria, thereby impacting their financial entitlements. This regulatory change does not extend beyond the specified context of honorary ranks and field allowances, and no exclusions or exemptions are stated within the provided text. The regulation's scope is confined to the amendment of financial and allowance regulations for certain military personnel.

Key Provisions

The key operative section of this Statutory Rule (C1918L00304) is Regulation 230 of the Financial and Allowance Regulations, which has been amended to include specific provisions for warrant officers. Section (230) of the Financial and Allowance Regulations now states that warrant officers of the Permanent Forces who have held commissioned rank in the Australian Imperial Force and have been granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant in the Australian Military Forces for the period of the war may be paid Field Allowance under this regulation for such periods as they are employed in camps and mess in the Officers' Mess. This amendment ensures that these warrant officers, who have previously served in a commissioned capacity and have been recognised with an honorary rank, receive the appropriate field allowance while engaged in camp and mess activities with officers. The obligations imposed by this regulation require that warrant officers who meet the specified criteria are eligible for the field allowance. This includes those who have held commissioned rank in the Australian Imperial Force and have been granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant in the Australian Military Forces during the war period. The regulation ensures that these officers are paid the field allowance when they are employed in camps and are using the Officers' Mess facilities. This provision aims to recognise their past service and honorary rank by allowing them to be integrated into the officer mess environment. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences stated in the Statutory Rule (C1918L00304) for non-compliance with the amended Regulation 230. However, failure to adhere to the regulation could potentially result in the warrant officers not receiving the field allowance to which they are entitled, thereby affecting their financial compensation. While the regulation itself does not specify penalties, any breach of military regulations could lead to administrative or disciplinary action under the Defence Act 1903-1918, which might include formal reprimands, fines, or other corrective measures as deemed appropriate by the military authorities.