Military Forces of the Commonwealth Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1914L00096 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

STATUTORY RULES.

1914. No. 96.

_________

REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1912.

Regulations For the Military Forces of the Commonwealth—Regulations 2, 3, 4, 11, 57, 78d, 114a, 134, 237, 544, and 558.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912 to come into operation forthwith. Such Regulations shall supersede the Provisional Regulations, Statutory Rule Nos. 312, 313, 322, 323 of 1913, and Nos. 3, 13, 27, 29, 31 of 1914.

Dated this thirtieth day of July, One thousand nine hundred and fourteen.

R. M. FERGUSON,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

E. D. MILLEN.

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REGULATIONS FOR THE MILITARY FORCES OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

Amendments.

The Military Board.

Regulation 2—The paragraph which reads as follows:—

“The Military Board will refer all matters in connexion with the appointments of Commandants and Officers of the District Head-Quarters Staffs, and the appointments of Officers to command for regiments and corps to the Inspector-General for his advice and recommendation.”

is cancelled, and the following substituted therefor:—

The Military Board will consider and make recommendations with regard to all promotions in the Military Force to ranks above the rank of Major as well as the appointment of Officers to be Commandants and to command regiments and corps.”

Promotion Board.

Regulation 3, which reads as follows:—

“The Promotion Board consists of—The Inspector-General, President; the Adjutant-General and the Senior District Commandant doing duty with troops, members. The Chief of Ordnance will attend the meetings of the Board to advise on all promotions of Artillery and Engineer officers.

 


The Promotion Board will consider and make recommendations with regard to all promotions in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth to ranks above the rank of Major, as well as the appointment of Officers to be Commandants and to command regiments and corps.

The recommendations of the Promotion Board will be forwarded to the Secretary of the Department of Defence for submission to the Minister.”

is cancelled.

The Department of the Inspector-General.

Regulation 4—The paragraph which reads—

“The Inspector-General will be President of the Promotion Board.”

is cancelled,

Regulation 11—After the second paragraph, which reads—

“In the case of a District Commandant being temporarily absent from his district, or unable for temporary reasons to perform his duties, the functions of his command may be administered by the senior or other Staff Officer present, subject to the approval of the Military Board.

insert—

“In the event of the office of District Commandant becoming vacant the senior or other Staff Officer in the district may be appointed by the Governor-General to temporarily administer the functions of command pending the appointment of a successor to the District Commandant.”

Officers—First Appointment.

Regulation 57, which reads—

“First appointments will, as a rule, be made to the rank of Second Lieutenant (but to rank of Captain in the case of the Australian Army Medical Corps, and to the rank of Lieutenant in the case of the Australian Intelligence Corps and Australian Army Veterinary Corps).”

is cancelled, and the following substituted therefor:—

“57. First appointments will, as a rule, he made to the rank of Second Lieutenant (but to rank of Captain in the case of the Australian Army Medical Corps, and of the Army Veterinary Corps (Citizen Forces), and to the rank of Lieutenant in the case of the Australian Intelligence Corps).”

The following heading be inserted before Regulation 78d:—

“Appointments to the Aviation Instructional Staff.”

Regulation 114a is cancelled, and the following substituted therefor:—

“114a. A Senior Chaplain for each of the denominations referred to in Regulation 114 shall be appointed in each Military District to administer the Chaplains of his own denomination in the district.


Such Senior Chaplain shall either be—

(a) The head of the denomination in the Military District, or if he is unable to so act—

(b) Such other clergyman as he or the recognised denominational governing or consultative body may recommend.”

Ages for Retirement.

Regulation 134—

For—

Officers of the Army Medical Corps (Citizen Forces).

Read—

Officers of Army Medical Corps.

Regulation 237, sub-paragraphs (6) and (7), which read—

“(6) A Non-commissioned Officer sentenced by court martial or Civil Court to imprisonment or detention shall be deemed to be reduced to the ranks.”

“(7) In addition to or without any other punishment in respect of any offence, a Non-commissioned Officer convicted by court martial may be reduced to any lower grade or to the ranks.”

is amended to read as follows:—

“(6) A Non-commissioned Officer sentenced by court martial or Civil Court to imprisonment or detention or to a fine of Five pounds or more shall be deemed to be reduced to the ranks.”

“(7) In addition to or without any other punishment in respect to any offence, a Non-commissioned Officer convicted by court martial or Civil Court may be reduced to any lower grade or to the ranks.”

Regulation 544 which reads:—

“Every active member classified as a marksman shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the year in which he becomes a marksman. The best shot of the whole of the Rifle Clubs in each Military District, and the best shot of each Rifle Club District in each Military District shall receive and be entitled to wear a badge (worked in gold) similar to that worn by the best shot in a regiment and company respectively.”

is cancelled, and the following substituted therefore:—

“Every active member classified as a marksman shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the year in which he becomes a marksman. The best shot of the whole of the Rifle Clubs in each Military District, and the best shot of each Rifle Club District in each Military District, shall receive and be entitled to wear a badge similar to that worn by the best shot in a regiment and company respectively.”

State Rifle Associations.

Regulation 558 is cancelled, and the following substituted therefor:—

“558. In each Military District there shall be a State Rifle Association which shall be governed by a Council consisting of a President, and representative of the Naval Forces nominated by the


District Naval Officer, the authorized number of representatives of District Rifle Club Unions, such number of selected members as shall be provided by the rules of the Association, and a number of members equal to the number of selected members, to be appointed annually by the District Commandant.

The Council shall be charged with the conduct of all rifle matches (other than those laid down by the Military Regulations) and the promotion of rifle shooting generally.

The District Commandant shall be the President ex officio, and shall preside at all meetings of the Council at which he may be present, but may if he so desires at any such meeting delegate such duty to the Chairman selected by the Council.

The Council will, as a consultative body, also assist the Commandant in all matters affecting the interests of rifle shooting in the Military District, or portion of the Military District, allotted to such Association.”

______________________

Printed and published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1914 No. 96, Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912, were introduced by the Governor-General in Council to provide a structured and updated framework for the governance and operations of the Commonwealth's Military Forces. These regulations were intended to address various administrative and operational gaps that had arisen since the provisional regulations of 1913 and early 1914. The enactment body was the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, ensuring that the regulations aligned with the broader strategic objectives of the Defence Act. The policy objective of these regulations was to streamline and formalise the appointment, promotion, and administrative processes within the military forces, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of military governance and operations.

Scope and Application

The Regulations For the Military Forces of the Commonwealth, made under the Defence Act 1903-1912, apply to the Military Forces of the Commonwealth, governing their operations and administration. These regulations cover various aspects of military governance, including the composition and roles of the Military Board and Promotion Board, the appointment and promotion of officers, the duties of the Inspector-General, the establishment of State Rifle Associations, and the administration of military districts. They also address specific matters such as the retirement ages for certain officers, the reduction of non-commissioned officers to the ranks, and the recognition of marksmen within the forces. These regulations have a national reach, applying across all military districts within the Commonwealth of Australia. Notably, the regulations do not specify any exclusions or exemptions and do not mention the application of subordinate instruments to extend or restrict their scope. Instead, they provide detailed and specific amendments to the existing regulations, thereby establishing a comprehensive framework for the governance and administration of the Commonwealth's military forces.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of these Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912 include significant amendments to the composition and functions of the Military Board and the Promotion Board. Regulation 2 modifies the Military Board's responsibilities to include recommendations for promotions to ranks above Major, in addition to the appointment of Commandants and Officers to command regiments and corps. Regulation 3 cancels the existing Promotion Board structure and replaces it with a new board that consists of the Inspector-General, the Adjutant-General, and the Senior District Commandant, with the Chief of Ordnance attending to advise on Artillery and Engineer officer promotions. These boards are responsible for recommending promotions above the rank of Major and the appointment of Commandants and commanding Officers. The Regulations impose several obligations and requirements on the parties involved. For instance, Regulation 11 allows the senior or other Staff Officer in a district to temporarily administer the functions of a District Commandant in cases of absence or inability to perform duties, and also mandates the Governor-General's approval for such appointments. Regulation 4 removes the Inspector-General's role as President of the Promotion Board. Regulation 57 modifies the ranks for first appointments, specifying ranks for various corps. Regulation 114a requires the appointment of a Senior Chaplain for each denomination in each Military District, either as the head of the denomination or a recommended clergyman. Furthermore, Regulation 237 amends the conditions for reducing Non-commissioned Officers to the ranks, including those sentenced to imprisonment, detention, or a fine of five pounds or more. The Regulations also outline potential offences and penalties for breaches. Regulation 237, through its amendments, sets forth that Non-commissioned Officers convicted by a court martial or civil court may be reduced to any lower grade or to the ranks. While specific maximum penalties are not explicitly stated in the text, the implications of these amendments suggest severe consequences for misconduct, including administrative and punitive measures. Additionally, any failure to comply with the new requirements for the Military Board, Promotion Board, or other specified duties could result in administrative penalties or disciplinary actions as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.