Munitions Supply Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1924 No. 159, made under the Defence Act 1903-1918, were enacted to address issues related to the administration and management of government munitions establishments in Australia. These regulations were introduced to amend the Munitions Supply Regulations of 1923, providing updated guidelines for the appointment, management, and termination of foremen within these establishments. The regulations were made by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The overarching policy objective was to ensure efficient and effective administration of munitions supply and to provide clear guidelines for the appointment and management of foremen, addressing issues such as qualifications, employment conditions, and termination processes.

Scope and Application

These Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1918 primarily apply to the Munitions Supply Board and the personnel involved in government munitions establishments, particularly focusing on the roles of foremen within these establishments. The scope of the Regulations encompasses the appointment, qualifications, and employment terms of foremen, as well as the handling of condemned, unfit, damaged, or deficient stores and obsolete or worn-out plant. The Regulations also govern the process for terminating foremen's appointments based on inefficiency, incompetence, or breaches of the Regulations, and the terms under which temporary foremen can be engaged and dismissed. The Regulations apply nationally across Australia, as they are issued under the Commonwealth authority, and they include provisions for the sale or writing off of certain items under specific monetary thresholds. There are no specific exclusions mentioned in the text, but the application of the Regulations is limited to munitions establishments and does not extend to other industries or conduct outside the scope of munitions supply.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of these Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1918 amend the Munitions Supply Regulations 1923. The most significant changes include the redefinition of "Foremen" under regulation 3, the substitution of certain munitions factories in regulation 16, and the introduction of new provisions in regulation 17 to allow the Munitions Supply Board to approve certain sales and transfers of stores and plant. New regulations are also introduced, including limits on the number of permanent foremen in section 29A, eligibility criteria for foremen in section 29B, and retirement provisions in section 29C. The Regulations also modify leave calculations in section 30, and introduce new provisions for the termination of foremen appointments in section 31. Temporary foremen are also addressed in sections 31A to 31D. The Munitions Supply Board is required to ensure that foremen meet the eligibility criteria specified in section 29B, which includes a minimum of ten years' service in a Government Establishment, with five of those years in the position of temporary foreman. Foremen must retire upon reaching the age of 65, as per section 29C. The Board may also approve the sale or writing off of certain stores and plant, as well as the taking on charge of excess stores, as per section 17(4A). The Board must also ensure that temporary foremen are engaged under the terms specified in section 31A, and that they are entitled to leave under the same conditions as permanent foremen, as per section 31C. The Board must also ensure that any temporary foreman engaged under an agreement is subject to the terms of that agreement, and that employment as a temporary foreman does not establish any claim to permanent employment, as per section 31B. Breaches of these Regulations may result in the termination of foremen appointments, as per section 31. The Munitions Supply Board may also take action against foremen who are inefficient or incompetent, or who breach the Regulations, as per section 31. The Board may also terminate the engagement of temporary foremen without notice, as per section 31B. Any person who is found guilty of an offence under these Regulations may be liable to a penalty of up to £100, as per section 36 of the Defence Act 1903-1918. In addition, any person who is found guilty of an offence under these Regulations may also be liable to imprisonment for a term of up to one year, as per section 37 of the Defence Act 1903-1918.