STATUTORY RULES.
1926. No. 20.
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, unless otherwise specified herein.
Dated this twenty-fifth day of February, 1926.
STONEHAVEN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
THOS. W. CRAWFORD,
for Minister of State for Defence.
Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Australian Military Forces and Senior Cadets.
(Statutory Rules 1921, No. 82, as amended to this date.)
Amendments.
A. Regulation 83 is amended by inserting the figure “(1)” after the figures “83” and by adding the following sub-regulation:—
“(2) Regulation 81 shall not apply to members who are on leave of absence without pay other than sick leave nor shall regulation 82 apply to the wives and children of such members”.
B. Regulation 114 is cancelled and the following substituted therefor:—
“114. An officer of the Citizen Military Forces who, with the approval of the Military Board, proceeds abroad to undergo a course of military instruction or training, or a member of any Unit or of the Unattached List of the Citizen Military Forces who, while temporarily absent abroad is permitted to attend for training with other Units of the British Dominions, as arranged by the Military Board, may be granted for each day during which he undergoes such training but not exceeding the maximum period prescribed in F.R. 101:—
(a) The daily pay of his rank under F.R. 101.
(b) Field Allowance of rank under F.R. 235.
(c) Rations under the scale in force for the unit with which he undergoes training,
provided that Field Allowance and Rations shall be authorized only when such are drawn by members of the unit with which the member is training”.
(The above regulation to have effect as from 1st January, 1926.)
C.1082.—Price 3d.
C. In regulation 200 (a) delete the words “5s. and upwards” and insert “in excess of 5s.”.
D. Regulation 322 sub-para. (3) is amended by deleting the following:—
“Advances at the discretion of the District Finance Officer may be made to Commanding Officers of Battalions (Citizen Forces) to meet expenditure from Area Contingent Allowance which may be necessary in connexion with the following items”
and inserting in lieu thereof the following:—
“Area Contingent Allowance may be expended on the following items”.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. Green. Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1926, No. 20, issued under the Defence Act 1903–1918, were enacted to address administrative and financial issues within the Australian Military Forces and Senior Cadets. These regulations, promulgated by the Governor-General in Council, aim to clarify and refine financial and allowance practices for military personnel, including adjustments to leave pay, training allowances, and expenditures from Area Contingent Allowances. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure that military personnel receive appropriate compensation and support while undergoing training or on leave, thereby maintaining operational readiness and morale within the forces. These regulations reflect the ongoing effort to adapt military administrative practices to meet contemporary needs, as overseen by the Minister of State for Defence.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1926, No. 20, issued under the Defence Act 1903–1918, govern financial and allowance regulations for the Australian Military Forces and senior cadets, coming into effect immediately unless otherwise specified. These regulations apply to all members of the Australian Military Forces, including those on leave of absence without pay (excluding sick leave), as well as to the wives and children of such members. They pertain to officers of the Citizen Military Forces who undertake approved training courses abroad and members temporarily absent abroad who are permitted to train with other units of the British Dominions, provided their training is arranged by the Military Board. These regulations cover financial allowances, daily pay, field allowances, rations, and the expenditure of Area Contingent Allowance. Subordinate instruments may further extend or restrict the application of these regulations, ensuring they are comprehensive and adaptable to the evolving needs of the military forces.
Key Provisions
The Regulations under the Defence Act 1903–1918 establish several key provisions primarily concerning the financial and allowance regulations for the Australian Military Forces and Senior Cadets. Regulation 83 is amended to clarify that Regulation 81 does not apply to members on leave of absence without pay other than sick leave, and Regulation 82 does not apply to the wives and children of such members (Regulation 83(2)). Regulation 114 is replaced with a new provision that allows officers of the Citizen Military Forces to receive daily pay, field allowance, and rations if they undertake military training abroad, subject to the approval of the Military Board and the conditions set out in Financial Regulation 101 (Regulation 114). Additionally, Regulation 200(a) is amended to change the threshold for certain financial transactions from “5s. and upwards” to “in excess of 5s.” (Regulation 200(a)). Regulation 322(3) is revised to specify that Area Contingent Allowance can only be used for particular items, removing the discretion previously given to the District Finance Officer (Regulation 322(3)).
These Regulations impose specific obligations on the members of the Australian Military Forces. Officers and members who proceed abroad for military training must do so with the approval of the Military Board and adhere to the conditions set out in the Regulations. For instance, they must comply with the specified duration and conditions of their training to be eligible for the allowances and pay provided. The Regulations also require that Area Contingent Allowance be used only for the specified items, removing the prior flexibility given to the District Finance Officer.
Violations of these Regulations could lead to administrative or disciplinary actions. While the Regulations do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, breaches of military regulations generally carry serious consequences, including potential disciplinary action within the military framework. The precise consequences would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any additional Defence Act provisions or military law that may apply.