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

Overview

Statutory Rules 1913 No. 26, enacted on 5 February 1913, amends the Financial and Allowance Regulation 84 under the Defence Act 1903-1912. This provisional regulation was introduced to address the urgent need to adjust the pay structures for officers within the Australian Army Veterinary Corps. The amendment was made with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and signed by the Governor-General, signifying its immediate operational requirement, effective from 1 January 1913. The regulation specifically modifies the pay and increments for Lieutenants and Captains within this Corps, introducing a new structure with five biennial increments of £25 for Lieutenants and maintaining two biennial increments of £25 for Captains. This legislative amendment underscores the policy objective of ensuring fair and structured remuneration within the military forces.

Scope and Application

This statutory rule amends the Financial and Allowance Regulations (Provisional) for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth, specifically addressing the pay of officers in the Australian Army Veterinary Corps (Permanent). The amendment applies to the permanent officers within this specific corps, altering the pay scale for lieutenants and captains, and detailing the increments they will receive over their service. The regulation is geographically applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, as it pertains to the military forces governed under the Defence Act 1903-1912. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the scope of this amendment; however, it only affects the specified ranks within the Australian Army Veterinary Corps. This Provisional Regulation is designed to come into immediate effect and be taken to have been in operation from the 1st January 1913, indicating an urgency in implementing the changes to the pay structure.

Key Provisions

The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912, specifically amending Financial and Allowance Regulation 84, introduce changes to the pay scale for Officers of the Australian Army Veterinary Corps (Permanent). Regulation 84, as amended, now provides that the pay for Lieutenants in the Australian Army Veterinary Corps will range from £300 to £425 per annum, with five biennial increments of £25 each. This is a significant alteration from the previous provisions, which stipulated a pay range of £450 to £500 per annum with two biennial increments of £25 each for Captains (section 84). The obligations imposed by these regulations are primarily concerned with the financial compensation of military personnel. These regulations ensure that the pay scales are updated to reflect the current remuneration standards for officers within the specified ranks. This includes the provision of specific financial increments at regular intervals, ensuring that officers are compensated in a manner consistent with their roles and responsibilities. The regulations require that the updated pay scales be adhered to and implemented without delay, as evidenced by the urgency noted in the certification by the Governor-General. Failure to comply with the provisions of these regulations could result in serious consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the text provided, it is reasonable to infer that breaches of such regulations could lead to disciplinary action, both civil and criminal, depending on the nature and severity of the non-compliance. The precise penalties would likely be outlined in other sections of the Defence Act 1903-1912 or in related legislation, but the seriousness of the breach could potentially result in fines, legal action, or other forms of redress, as well as potential impacts on the officer's career and standing within the military.