Military Financial Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1984 No. 177, issued under the authority of the Minister for Defence, amends the Military Financial Regulations to address a specific issue concerning the payment of Chaplains’ Allowance. Enacted pursuant to Section 12 of the Defence Amendment Act 1979, these Statutory Rules are intended to align the regulations with a policy change that takes effect from 1 September 1984. Under the previous regulation 32, Chaplains’ Allowance was provided to cover the purchase and maintenance of ecclesiastical equipment and clothing, but this allowance will cease to be applicable from the specified date as these items will be sourced through the Service supply system. The policy objective behind this amendment is to streamline the provision of ecclesiastical equipment and clothing for chaplains within the military, ensuring that such provisions are managed efficiently through the existing supply system.

Scope and Application

The Military Financial Regulations Amendment (Chaplains’ Allowance) Statutory Rules 1984 pertain to the amendment of regulation 32 under the Military Financial Regulations, specifically concerning the cessation of the payment of Chaplains’ Allowance. This Act applies to chaplains within the Australian Defence Force, particularly those whose roles require the provision of ecclesiastical equipment and clothing as part of their service. The amendment impacts the financial entitlements of chaplains, effectively terminating the allowance for such items from 1 September 1984. These Statutory Rules are issued under the authority of the Minister for Defence, and as such, they have a Commonwealth reach, applying across the Australian Defence Force nationwide. Notably, the amendment does not provide for any exclusions or exemptions, and it strictly applies to the cessation of the Chaplains’ Allowance as outlined, with no further extensions or restrictions noted in the text.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1984 No. 177, issued under the authority of the Minister for Defence, implement changes to the Military Financial Regulations pursuant to section 12 of the Defence Amendment Act 1979. This section empowers the Minister to make interim determinations that amend or repeal regulations. The rules issued under this authority are deemed to be Statutory Rules, and the regulations they amend are affected accordingly. Specifically, these rules modify regulation 32 of the Military Financial Regulations, which pertains to the payment of Chaplains’ Allowance. Regulation 32 originally provided for the payment of an allowance to cover the purchase and maintenance of ecclesiastical equipment and clothing for chaplains. However, these items are to be sourced through the Service supply system from 1 September 1984 onwards. Consequently, the allowance will no longer be payable from that date. The rules issued here amend regulation 32 to reflect this change, effectively ceasing the allowance from 1 September 1984. These amendments impose specific obligations on the parties and entities governed by the Military Financial Regulations. Chaplains and their administrative officers must now ensure that any necessary ecclesiastical equipment and clothing are procured through the Service supply system. The Defence Force, in turn, must manage the transition by integrating the provision of these items into their supply chain. Additionally, financial officers are required to adjust payroll systems to reflect the cessation of the Chaplains’ Allowance from the specified date. Failure to comply with the provisions of the amended regulations may result in legal consequences. Although the Statutory Rules themselves do not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance, breaches of the Military Financial Regulations could lead to various civil or criminal actions under broader defence legislation. Potential penalties might include fines, administrative sanctions, or other legal remedies available under the Defence Force Discipline Act or other relevant statutes. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as the specific provisions of other applicable laws.