STATUTORY RULES.
1907. No. 8.
PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACTS 1903–1904.
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 Acts 1903–1904 should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.
Dated this nineteenth day of February, One thousand nine hundred and seven.
NORTHCOTE,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command.
THOS. EWING.
REGULATIONS FOR THE MILITARY FORCES OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
AMENDMENTS.
The Regulations for the Military Forces of the Commonwealth (Statutory Rules 1905, No. 56) are amended by the following additions:—
After Regulation 56 add the following Regulation:—
56a. Officers of the Militia and the Volunteer Forces who are detailed to serve with the Commonwealth Cadet Corps will be seconded from their Regiments or Corps whilst so serving.
Officers on the Unattached and the Reserve Lists are available for duty with Commonwealth Cadet Corps.
Regulation 129.—After the word “required” in the seventh line, insert the following words, “provided they have served for not less than five years on the Active List.”
By Authority: J. Kemp, Acting Government Printer, Melbourne.
C.1123.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules of 1907, No. 8, provisionally regulate the military forces of the Commonwealth under the Defence Acts 1903–1904. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations respond to urgent needs in the administration and deployment of military officers. The immediate operational requirement underscores the critical role of structured military governance in the nascent Commonwealth of Australia. The regulations address specific gaps in the deployment and secondment of officers within the Militia, Volunteer Forces, and Commonwealth Cadet Corps, ensuring clarity in service roles and tenure requirements.
These regulations aim to streamline the integration and availability of officers for duty, particularly emphasising the experience criterion for officers on the Active List. The policy objective is to maintain an efficient and well-organised military force by establishing clear protocols for officer assignments and service durations. This legislative instrument seeks to provide immediate operational efficacy while laying the groundwork for a more robust military framework.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Defence Acts 1903–1904 apply to officers of the Militia and the Volunteer Forces who are detailed to serve with the Commonwealth Cadet Corps, as well as those on the Unattached and Reserve Lists who are available for duty with this Corps. The Regulations amend the existing rules to ensure that officers are seconded from their regiments or corps while serving with the Commonwealth Cadet Corps and specify that officers on the Unattached and Reserve Lists must have served for a minimum of five years on the Active List to be considered for such duty. These Regulations are applicable within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia and come into immediate operation, providing a framework for the integration of these officers into the Commonwealth Cadet Corps. Any further specifications or restrictions on application may be extended through subordinate instruments as required.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Provisional Regulations under the Defence Acts 1903–1904, as amended by Statutory Rules 1907, No. 8, introduce specific provisions regarding the service of militia and volunteer forces officers with the Commonwealth Cadet Corps. Regulation 56a states that officers from the Militia and Volunteer Forces who are assigned to serve with the Commonwealth Cadet Corps will be temporarily transferred from their regiments or corps during their service with the Cadet Corps. Furthermore, officers on the Unattached and Reserve Lists are deemed available for duty with the Commonwealth Cadet Corps (56a). Additionally, Regulation 129 has been amended to require that officers who are to be recalled to duty must have served at least five years on the Active List (129).
These Regulations impose certain obligations and requirements on the parties involved. Firstly, officers of the Militia and Volunteer Forces who are seconded to the Commonwealth Cadet Corps must be temporarily transferred from their parent units, as per Regulation 56a. This ensures that these officers can focus solely on their duties with the Cadet Corps without any conflict of interest or divided loyalties. Secondly, officers on the Unattached and Reserve Lists are made available for duty with the Cadet Corps, which provides a pool of experienced personnel that can be drawn upon as needed. Thirdly, the amendment to Regulation 129 mandates that any officer to be recalled to duty must have completed at least five years of service on the Active List, thereby ensuring that only those with sufficient experience and training are considered for such duties.
The Regulations also establish consequences for breaches of their provisions. Although the document does not explicitly outline offences or penalties for non-compliance, it is reasonable to infer that failure to adhere to these provisions could result in disciplinary actions under the Defence Acts 1903–1904 or other relevant military laws. Such actions might include administrative penalties, demotion, or even dismissal from service, depending on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the commanding officer or relevant military authority. It is important for all involved to understand and comply with these Regulations to maintain the operational integrity and effectiveness of the military forces.