STATUTORY RULES.
1913. No. 312.
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PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1912.
Amendment to Commonwealth Military Regulation 544.
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 Regulation under the Defence Act 1903-1912 should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a Provisional Regulation.
Dated this tenth day of December, One thousand nine hundred and thirteen.
DENMAN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
E. D. MILLEN.
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REGULATIONS (PROVISIONAL) FOR THE MILITARY FORCES OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
Amendment.
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 therefor:—
“Every active member classified as a marksman shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the year in which he became 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 is 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.”
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Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.16615.—Price 3d.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1913 No. 312, titled "Provisional Regulations Under the Defence Act 1903-1912," was enacted in 1913 by the Governor-General in Council, addressing the need to make urgent amendments to existing military regulations. This legislation was introduced to swiftly respond to operational requirements within the Commonwealth’s military forces, as evidenced by the immediate effect of the Provisional Regulation. The policy objective of these amendments was to adjust the criteria and recognition for marksmanship within the military, ensuring that the best performers were appropriately rewarded and recognised. The changes involved updating the regulations concerning certificates and badges for marksmen, ensuring that the distinctions for excellence in shooting were clearly defined and maintained.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1912, specifically amending Regulation 544, apply to active members classified as marksmen within the Commonwealth military forces. These regulations concern the entitlement of these members to receive a certificate for the year in which they achieve the classification of marksman, as well as the awarding of badges to the best shot from Rifle Clubs in each Military District. The scope of these regulations is limited to the members of the Commonwealth military forces, focusing on their recognition and rewards within the specified districts. The regulations have a national reach, being applicable throughout the Commonwealth of Australia as per the Defence Act. The amendment removes the requirement for badges to be worked in gold, thus altering the criteria for badge entitlement while maintaining the essence of recognising top performers in marksmanship. This Provisional Regulation comes into immediate effect as mandated by the urgency clause, setting a precedent for how certain military regulations can be swiftly implemented to address operational needs.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this legislation (Statutory Rules.1913. No. 312) pertain to the amendment of Commonwealth Military Regulation 544, which relates to the recognition of marksmanship within the military forces of the Commonwealth. Regulation 544 originally provided for the issuance of a certificate and the wearing of a gold badge for marksmen who excel in rifle clubs within their respective military districts. The amendment, however, removes the specification that the badges should be worked in gold, thus permitting the badges to be of a similar design but not necessarily gold-worked (Regulation 544 amended).
The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties or entities it governs include ensuring that every active member classified as a marksman receives a certificate for the year in which they attained that classification (section 1). Furthermore, it mandates that the best shot from the entire rifle clubs within each military district, as well as the best shot from each rifle club district, shall be entitled to receive and wear a badge. This badge must be of a similar design to those worn by the best shots in regiments and companies, though it no longer specifies the material of the badge (section 1).
The Act does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or consequences for breach of its provisions. However, given its nature as a military regulation, non-compliance could potentially result in disciplinary actions under the Defence Act 1903-1912 or other relevant military laws. There is no specific mention of maximum penalties within the text of the statutory rule itself.