STATUTORY RULES.
1925. No. 138.
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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 nineteenth day of August, 1925.
FORSTER,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
NEVILLE HOWSE,
Minister of State for Defence.
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Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Australian Military Forces and Senior Cadets.
Amendment.
(Statutory Rules 1921, No. 82, as amended to this date.)
Regulation 98 is cancelled and the following substituted therefor:—
“98. An expenditure not exceeding £10 may be authorized by District Finance Officers for funerals of members of the Permanent Military Forces. Where it is proved to the satisfaction of the Military Board that the actual necessary expenses incurred on the burial were in excess of £10, the Military Board may approve of payment of such further sums as may be considered reasonable.
The relatives may have the body conveyed at their own expense from the place of death to the deceased’s home for burial or any be issued with two second class railway warrants at Government expense to enable the nearest relative and one other to proceed to and return home from the military funeral providing that the journey between the place of interment and the home of the relatives will occupy not more than 24 hours.”
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Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. Green, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.11928.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1925 No. 138, issued under the Defence Act 1903-1918, were enacted to amend the financial and allowance regulations for the Australian Military Forces and senior cadets. The Governor-General, in conjunction with the Federal Executive Council, introduced these regulations to provide clarity and updates to the financial provisions governing the military, particularly concerning funeral expenses for members of the Permanent Military Forces. These regulations were developed to address the need for structured guidelines on the financial support provided to the families of deceased military personnel, ensuring that appropriate allowances were made for burial costs and related travel expenses. The policy objective was to formalise the support mechanisms for military families in times of loss, reflecting a commitment to the welfare of those who serve and their dependents.
Scope and Application
The regulations outlined in Statutory Rules 1925, No. 138 under the Defence Act 1903-1918 pertain specifically to financial and allowance matters concerning the Australian Military Forces and senior cadets. These regulations apply to members of the Permanent Military Forces, including their relatives in certain circumstances, and outline provisions for funeral expenses. The scope of the regulations is limited to financial provisions and does not extend to other aspects of military conduct or transactions. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, applying to all members of the Australian Military Forces across the Commonwealth. Notably, the regulations establish a threshold of £10 for expenditures on funerals, with a provision for additional payments if actual expenses exceed this amount. Additionally, the regulations allow for the conveyance of the deceased's body or provide railway warrants to relatives under specific conditions, ensuring that the journey between the place of interment and the home of the relatives does not exceed 24 hours. The regulations do not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions, though the applicability of the £10 threshold suggests a limitation on the scope of covered expenses.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules 1925 No. 138 pertain to the financial and allowance regulations for the Australian Military Forces and senior cadets. Regulation 98, in particular, outlines the process for authorising expenditures related to the funerals of members of the Permanent Military Forces (Reg. 98). It allows District Finance Officers to authorise expenditures up to £10 for funerals. If the actual expenses exceed this amount, the Military Board can approve additional payments deemed reasonable upon proof of the actual costs. Furthermore, it provides for the relatives of the deceased to either have the body transported at their own expense or to be issued with two second-class railway warrants at government expense, provided the journey does not exceed 24 hours.
The obligations imposed by these regulations primarily rest on the District Finance Officers and the Military Board. District Finance Officers must ensure that any expenditure for funerals of members of the Permanent Military Forces does not exceed £10 unless further approval is obtained. The Military Board, on the other hand, is tasked with reviewing and approving any claims for expenses that exceed the initial £10 limit. The relatives of the deceased are also obligated to provide proof of actual expenses if they exceed the authorised limit, and they must ensure the body is either transported at their own expense or make use of the provided railway warrants within the stipulated timeframe.
Failure to comply with these regulations could lead to various consequences, though specific penalties are not outlined in the text. In a general sense, any breaches of these financial regulations could potentially result in disciplinary actions against the District Finance Officers or the Military Board for improper authorisation or oversight. The relatives may face administrative hurdles or denial of claims if they do not adhere to the stipulated conditions regarding transportation or the use of railway warrants. While the document does not detail specific penalties, breaches of financial regulations can lead to financial audits, legal scrutiny, and potential financial liability for any unauthorised expenditures.