STATUTORY RULES.
1921. No. 124.
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 thirtieth day of June, 1921.
FORSTER,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. F. PEARCE,
Minister of State for Defence.
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Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Australian Military Forces and Senior Cadets, 1921.
Amendments.
(a) Regulation 326, sub-paragraph (1) is amended by deleting the figures “£60” occurring in the second line, and inserting the figures “£85” in lieu thereof. To take effect from 1st April, 1921.
(b) Regulation 326, sub-paragraph (2), is repealed, and the following substituted in lieu thereof:—
“(2) (a) Provided, however, that in cases where the Training Area includes training localities, the visiting of which would necessitate the Area Medical Officer’s absence from his place of residence for more than twenty-four hours, the persons liable for medical examination in such localities may not be considered portion of those allotted to the Area Medical Officer for examination.
(b) Cases referred to in sub-paragraph (a) shall be dealt with as follows:—
(i.) Local medical practitioners may be employed to conduct such examinations and may be paid at the rate of 2s. 6d. for each examination, or
(ii.) Travelling allowance at the rate laid down in regulation 196, subject to the conditions of regulation 195c may be paid to the Area Medical Officer. In addition, the necessary rail or steamer warrants may also be supplied, provided that the travelling allowance and transportation expenses do not exceed the cost of engaging local medical practitioners.”
(c) When examinations necessitate the absence of the Area Medical Officer from his head-quarters for less than twenty-four hours necessary rail or steamer warrants may be provided and
travelling allowances paid in accordance with Financial and Allowance Regulation 196, provided the cost to the Department be no greater were such examinations carried out by local medical practitioners at the rate of 2s. 6d. for each examination.
In all other instances when the Area Medical Officer does not examine the whole of those allotted to him local medical practitioners may be employed to examine the remainder of these so allotted at the rate of 2s. 6d. for each examination and any sums so paid should be deducted from the Area Medical Officer's allowance.”
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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 1921 No. 124, made under the Defence Act 1903-1918, outlines financial and allowance regulations for the Australian Military Forces and senior cadets, effective from 30th June 1921. The regulations were introduced to provide updated allowances and clarify the processes for medical examinations by Area Medical Officers and local practitioners, addressing the need to efficiently manage medical examinations in different scenarios while controlling costs. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, the policy objective of these regulations is to ensure appropriate financial support and allowances for military personnel and to facilitate effective medical examination services within the stipulated budget constraints.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules of 1921, No. 124, made under the Defence Act 1903-1918, pertain to the Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Australian Military Forces and Senior Cadets. These regulations apply to personnel within the Australian Military Forces, including senior cadets, governing financial aspects such as allowances and allowances for medical examinations. The regulations are geographically applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniformity in financial and allowance practices for military personnel. The regulations also detail specific conditions under which local medical practitioners can be employed for medical examinations in lieu of the Area Medical Officer, with financial provisions and allowances stipulated. Exclusions and exemptions are specified within the regulations, for instance, when the Area Medical Officer's absence from his place of residence exceeds twenty-four hours. The regulations are subject to amendments and adjustments, as evidenced by the modifications to Regulation 326.
Key Provisions
The statutory rules introduced under the Defence Act 1903-1918, particularly in relation to the Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Australian Military Forces and Senior Cadets, provide detailed provisions concerning the allocation of funds and allowances, as well as the responsibilities of medical officers within the military context. Section 326 has been amended to adjust the financial figures for certain allowances, specifically increasing them from £60 to £85 effective from 1 April 1921. Additionally, the regulation now specifies that if the Area Medical Officer’s duties require them to be away from their residence for more than twenty-four hours, the individuals in these training localities will not be considered part of the group assigned to the Area Medical Officer for examination. Instead, local medical practitioners may conduct the examinations, with payment at a rate of 2 shillings and 6 pence per examination, or the Area Medical Officer may receive a travelling allowance and necessary travel warrants, provided these costs do not exceed the amount that would be spent on employing local practitioners.
These regulations impose specific duties on the Area Medical Officers, requiring them to either conduct medical examinations themselves or ensure that local medical practitioners perform these tasks under certain conditions. Furthermore, the regulations mandate that the Department ensure the financial efficiency of these arrangements, which includes limiting the costs associated with employing local medical practitioners or compensating the Area Medical Officer. The officers are also expected to ensure that any travel or transportation expenses do not surpass the cost of employing local medical practitioners for the examinations.
Failure to adhere to these provisions could lead to various consequences. The regulations do not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance, but the financial oversight and efficiency stipulated suggest that any mismanagement could result in financial repercussions for the Department. Given the context of statutory regulations, breaches might also invite scrutiny or further regulatory action to ensure compliance with the financial and administrative mandates established by the Defence Act 1903-1918.