STATUTORY RULES.
1912. No. 34.
provisional regulations under the naval defence act 1910-1911
Financial and Allowance Regulations (Provisional) for the Naval Forces of the Commonwealth—Regulations 82 to 88—Amendments.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that on account of urgency, the following Regulations under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1911 should come into immediate operation, and further, should be taken to have come into operation on the 1st day of January, 1912, and make the Regulations to come into operation accordingly as Provisional Regulations.
Dated this fourteenth day of February, One thousand nine hundred and twelve.
DENMAN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. F. PEARCE.
FINANCIAL AND ALLOWANCE REGULATIONS (PROVISIONAL) FOR THE NAVAL FORCES OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
Amendments.
Regulations 82 to 88 inclusive are cancelled, and the following substituted therefor:—
82. Medical attendance shall be granted to all members of the Administration and Instructional Staff, under the regulations and conditions hereafter defined:—
(a) The term “medical attendance” throughout these Regulations means the professional advice and care during sickness or injury afforded in hospital or out of hospital by Naval Medical Officers appointed for the duty at the following Districts or Sub-Districts:—
New South Wales............. | Sydney, Newcastle; |
Victoria.................... | Melbourne (including Williamstown), Geelong, Portland, Port Fairy; |
Queensland................. | Brisbane, Rockhampton, Cairns, Townsville, Bundaberg, Thursday Island ; |
South Australia............... | Port Adelaide; |
Western Australia............. | Fremantle, Albany; |
Tasmania................... | Hobart, Launceston; |
and at such other places as may be approved by the Minister, Members shall only be entitled to medical attendance at their own homes, provided they reside within a radius of two miles from the Naval Staff Office.
C.766.—Price 3d.
(b) Medical attendance does not, however, include surgical operations except those of a minor character, and which do not involve the administration of an anæsthetic.
(c) When necessary, arrangements may be made for admission and treatment in a general hospital approved of by the Naval Medical Officer.
(d) Medical attendance shall include supply of medicines, &c., prescribed by the Naval Medical Officer in charge of the case.
(e) All medicines, &c., shall be supplied by those Naval Medical Officers referred to in sub-paragraph (a), in accordance with the Government medical regulations of their respective States, and at Government contract rates. Where Government contracts do not exist, District or Sub-District Naval Officers may authorise Naval Medical Officers to arrange with local chemists for supply of medicines at a rate not exceeding 10s. per annum per family. These drugs shall be confined to those of the British Pharmacopœia or Squire’s Companion to the British Pharmacopœia; patent or proprietary medicines shall not be recognised.
(f) Members may be treated in a private hospital on the distinct understanding that the Department will only be liable for the payment of fees which would have been charged had the patient been treated in a general hospital, except under special circumstances, such as an injury in the performance of naval duty, which must at the earliest possible moment be submitted for the consideration of the Minister.
83. Wives and Children (children up to fourteen years of age) of members may receive medical attendance and drugs as specified in paragraph 82, sub-paragraphs (a), (d), and (e), provided no extra expense to the Department is incurred.
84. The cost of medical attendance for confinements will not be allowed.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by J. Kemp, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Financial and Allowance Regulations (Provisional) for the Naval Forces of the Commonwealth, 1912, was enacted to provide provisional financial and allowance regulations for the naval forces of the Commonwealth. These regulations were introduced due to the urgency of establishing a structured system for the provision of medical care and allowances to members of the naval forces and their families. The enactment was carried out by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and these regulations were intended to take effect immediately, backdated to 1 January 1912. The primary objective of these provisional regulations was to ensure that the naval forces received necessary medical care and financial support, as defined within the regulations, until more permanent legislation could be established.
Scope and Application
The Financial and Allowance Regulations (Provisional) for the Naval Forces of the Commonwealth apply to all members of the Administration and Instructional Staff of the naval forces, as well as their wives and children up to fourteen years of age. These regulations govern the provision of medical attendance and the supply of medicines to these individuals under specific conditions. The scope of the act extends to various districts and sub-districts across Australian states, with certain allowances for treatment at home if within a two-mile radius of the Naval Staff Office. Notably, the regulations explicitly exclude surgical operations involving anaesthesia, confining medical care to minor surgical procedures and the provision of medications according to government medical regulations and contract rates. The regulations also allow for treatment in private hospitals under specific conditions, ensuring that the Department only incurs costs equivalent to those of a general hospital unless special circumstances apply. The act applies on a national level, with provisions tailored to specific districts within each state, thereby ensuring a consistent standard of medical care across different regions.
Key Provisions
The Financial and Allowance Regulations (Provisional) for the Naval Forces of the Commonwealth outline the medical attendance provisions for members of the naval forces, their families, and the associated conditions (Regulation 82). This medical attendance, provided by Naval Medical Officers in approved districts or sub-districts, includes professional advice and care during sickness or injury, supply of prescribed medicines, and approved hospital treatment. Notably, surgical operations are not included unless they are minor and do not require an anaesthetic. Members may also receive treatment in private hospitals under specific conditions, where the naval department will only cover the cost up to that of a general hospital, unless special circumstances apply.
Under these regulations, the obligations placed on the parties involved are clear and specific. Naval Medical Officers are responsible for providing the defined medical attendance, ensuring that any medicines supplied comply with government regulations and are sourced at approved rates. Members of the naval forces and their families are required to avail themselves of the medical services within the prescribed districts or sub-districts unless they reside within two miles of a Naval Staff Office, in which case home visits are permissible. The naval department, through its officers, must ensure compliance with these provisions and make necessary arrangements for hospital treatment.
The regulations also address specific exclusions and conditions, such as the non-inclusion of surgical operations except for minor ones and the prohibition of patent or proprietary medicines. Additionally, the cost of medical attendance for confinements is explicitly excluded from coverage (Regulation 84). Failure to adhere to these provisions could result in non-coverage of certain medical expenses by the naval department, and any breaches of the outlined conditions for medical attendance or drug supply could lead to financial implications for the members or their families. While the statutory rules do not explicitly state penalties, the non-compliance with these provisions could lead to administrative consequences or financial liabilities under the broader legislative framework governing the naval forces.