STATUTORY RULES.
1935. No. 38.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE MATERNITY ALLOWANCE ACT 1912-1934.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Maternity Allowance Act 1912-1934.
Dated this sixteenth day of April, 1935.
(Sgd.) ISAAC A. ISAACS
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
Acting Treasurer.
Amendment of the Maternity Allowance Regulations.†
Form D of the Maternity Allowance Regulations is amended by inserting after the words “If born alive, did child live for at least twelve hours?”, the words “Number of children of the mother, under the age of fourteen years, born prior to the birth of the child in respect of whom this certificate is issued, and still living”.
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1935.
† Statutory Rules 1926, No. 172, as amended by Statutory Rules 1931, No. 92; and 1934, No. 126.
By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.
1306.—6/3. 4.1935.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1935 No. 38, Regulations under the Maternity Allowance Act 1912-1934, were enacted in 1935 by the Governor-General of Australia, Isaac Alfred Isaacs, with advice from the Federal Executive Council. This legislative instrument was introduced to amend the Maternity Allowance Regulations by modifying Form D, which is a critical component of the application process for maternity allowances. The regulation specifically adds a new requirement for applicants to provide details about the number of children under fourteen years of age born prior to the child in question who are still living. The objective of this regulation is to better manage and monitor the distribution of maternity allowances by ensuring that the information provided by applicants is comprehensive and accurate, thereby addressing any gaps in the existing regulatory framework.
This amendment aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the maternity allowance system by incorporating additional data points that can be used to assess eligibility and to ensure that the benefits are appropriately allocated. The Maternity Allowance Act 1912-1934 itself was designed to provide financial support to women during their maternity leave, and these regulations serve to refine the operational aspects of the Act to better serve its policy objectives.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules of 1935, No. 38, which amend the Maternity Allowance Regulations under the Maternity Allowance Act 1912-1934, apply to individuals who are recipients of maternity allowance within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations are concerned with the eligibility criteria for maternity allowance and specifically address the circumstances under which a woman can claim such allowance. The amendment to Form D within these regulations requires the addition of information regarding the number of children of the mother, under the age of fourteen years, who were born prior to the child for whom the certificate is issued and are still living. This regulation thus affects all mothers who apply for maternity allowance and ensures that the relevant authorities have comprehensive information to determine eligibility. The amendment extends the scope of the documentation required, impacting the administrative process for both applicants and the relevant authorities.
These regulations are applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and are enforced through the subordinate instrument of the Maternity Allowance Regulations. They do not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the provided text; however, the detailed nature of the required information suggests that the regulations aim to maintain a stringent verification process for those claiming maternity allowance. The statutory rules are intended to ensure that all claimants meet the specified criteria, thereby maintaining the integrity of the allowance program. The regulation's reach is nationwide, impacting all eligible mothers within the Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
The key provision of this Statutory Instrument (No. 38 of 1935) is the amendment of Form D under the Maternity Allowance Regulations. Specifically, it involves inserting new wording into an existing question on the form (section 1306). The amendment adds a requirement for the form to capture additional information about the number of children of the mother, under the age of fourteen years, who were born prior to the child in respect of whom the certificate is issued and are still living. This change was made to provide a more comprehensive set of data for assessing eligibility for maternity allowance under the Maternity Allowance Act 1912-1934.
The obligation imposed by this amendment is for the person completing Form D to provide accurate information about the number of children the mother has who are under fourteen years of age and still living. This requirement ensures that the relevant authorities have a complete understanding of the family's circumstances, which is essential for the proper assessment of the maternity allowance application. Accurate completion of the form is crucial as it directly impacts the eligibility and amount of the allowance that may be granted.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the amended form could potentially lead to errors in the assessment of the maternity allowance application. If the information provided is found to be inaccurate or incomplete, it could result in a delay in the processing of the application or even a denial of the allowance. Furthermore, providing false information with the intent to deceive could lead to criminal charges, as the act of making false statements in connection with the application for a benefit is considered an offence under the relevant legislation. The specific penalties for such offences are not detailed in the Statutory Instrument but would typically involve fines and/or imprisonment, as per the provisions of the Maternity Allowance Act 1912-1934 and any related criminal legislation.