STATUTORY RULES.
1911. No. 198.
PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1910.
Amendments to Commonwealth Military Regulations 153 and 157.
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 Defence Act 1903-1910 should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.
Dated this twenty-ninth day of November, One thousand nine hundred and eleven.
DENMAN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
G. F. PEARCE.
Regulations (Provisional) for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth.
Amendments.
Regulation 153—
In sub-paragraph 5, line 4—
After the word “examination” insert “in practical drill.”
In Regulation 157, delete “Chief of the General Staff” wherever it appears, and substitute “Adjutant-General.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by J. Kemp, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.17112.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules of 1911, No. 198, titled "Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1910," was introduced to address urgent amendments to the Commonwealth Military Regulations, specifically Regulations 153 and 157. Enacted by the Governor-General in the context of the Defence Act 1903-1910, the regulations were made with the advice of the Federal Executive Council due to their immediate necessity. These provisional regulations aimed to swiftly implement changes in the military forces' practical drill examination and the substitution of the term "Adjutant-General" for "Chief of the General Staff" across Regulation 157. The urgency and the specific nature of these amendments underscore the policy objective of ensuring the military's operational efficiency and adaptability in response to pressing needs.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1910, as certified by the Governor-General on 29 November 1911, pertain to amendments of Commonwealth Military Regulations 153 and 157, reflecting immediate operational necessities. These regulations apply specifically to the military forces of the Commonwealth, imposing modifications to the administrative and operational aspects of military conduct. Regulation 153 introduces a requirement for practical drill during examinations, while Regulation 157 replaces references to the Chief of the General Staff with the Adjutant-General, thereby adjusting the command structure within the military forces. This legislation affects the conduct and organisational framework of the military, ensuring that these changes are swiftly implemented to maintain operational efficiency. The geographic reach of these regulations is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting military personnel and their immediate command structures across the nation. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the regulations themselves, though the overarching Defence Act 1903-1910 may include provisions that govern broader applications and exceptions.
Key Provisions
The Statutory Rules 1911 No. 198, which provide provisional regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1910, introduce specific amendments to the Commonwealth Military Regulations 153 and 157. Regulation 153, as amended, modifies sub-paragraph 5, line 4, to include the phrase "in practical drill" after the word "examination" (Regulation 153). This alteration ensures that the examination of military personnel now includes practical drills as part of their assessment process. Regulation 157, on the other hand, mandates the substitution of the term "Adjutant-General" for "Chief of the General Staff" wherever it appears within the regulation (Regulation 157). These amendments reflect a shift in the roles and responsibilities within the military hierarchy, ensuring that the duties previously assigned to the Chief of the General Staff are now to be performed by the Adjutant-General.
These regulations impose specific obligations and requirements on the military personnel and the authorities responsible for enforcing them. Firstly, military personnel must now undergo practical drills as part of their examinations, ensuring that they are assessed not only on theoretical knowledge but also on practical application (Regulation 153). The Adjutant-General, as a result of these amendments, is now tasked with the duties that were previously assigned to the Chief of the General Staff (Regulation 157). This change necessitates that the Adjutant-General must ensure compliance with the amended regulations and oversee the practical examinations of military personnel.
The statutory rules do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches of the amended regulations. However, under the Defence Act 1903-1910, any failure to comply with the provisions of the Defence Act or the regulations made thereunder can be subject to disciplinary action within the military framework. Such actions may include administrative penalties, reprimands, or other corrective measures as deemed appropriate by the military authorities. The exact consequences of non-compliance would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as the specific provisions of the Defence Act and associated regulations.