Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1914 No. 135, titled "Provisional Regulations Under the Defence Act 1903-1912," was enacted to amend financial and allowance regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth. This provisional regulation, which came into operation on 1 July 1914, was introduced to address urgent changes in the pay structure for various ranks within the Australian Army Medical Corps. The Governor-General, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, issued this regulation under the Defence Act 1903-1912 due to the pressing need to update the financial arrangements in response to the evolving needs of the military forces. The objective was to ensure that the financial and allowance regulations were adjusted promptly to meet the demands of the time.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912, specifically focusing on financial and allowance regulations for the military forces of the Commonwealth, apply to personnel within the Australian Army Medical Corps, notably warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted personnel. The scope of this legislation encompasses the adjustment of pay structures for these ranks, including consolidated annual rates and daily rates of pay, with specific provisions for roles such as Storemen. The legislation was enacted with urgency and came into operation on the first day of July, 1914, reflecting its immediate applicability to the military forces during that period. The regulation explicitly alters the previous pay structure by cancelling and substituting new rates, thereby affecting the financial entitlements of the specified ranks within the military. This legislative amendment is confined to the Commonwealth jurisdiction, impacting federal military personnel directly under the Defence Act. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds specified within the text, implying a broad application to all qualifying military personnel within the stated categories.

Key Provisions

The key provision of this legislative instrument, Regulation 85(a), pertains to the amendment of the Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth, specifically concerning the pay of Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men within the Australian Army Medical Corps. The regulation cancels the previous rates of pay for Privates and replaces them with new consolidated rates of pay per annum and daily rates of pay for Storemen. It also introduces increments for Storemen, with one annual increment of £4 and three increments of £6 (section 85(a)). The obligations imposed by this Act are primarily on the military personnel affected by these changes. Specifically, it mandates that the new consolidated rates of pay and daily rates for Storemen be adhered to, replacing the previous rates for Privates. It also necessitates the implementation of the specified increments for Storemen positions as outlined in the regulation (section 85(a)). Regarding the consequences for breaches, the Act does not explicitly detail any specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences within the text provided. However, non-compliance with the stipulated rates of pay and increments could potentially lead to administrative or disciplinary actions within the military, as such changes are integral to the financial governance of the military forces. The absence of explicit penalties in the provided text suggests that adherence is expected through internal military regulations and protocols.