Naval Brigade Regulations 1919 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 100, made under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, were introduced to amend the Naval Brigade Regulations in light of the experiences and requirements arising from the First World War. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations were designed to address specific issues concerning the training and administrative obligations of members of the Naval Brigade who had served during the war. The policy objective was to exempt certain members from mandatory training while still requiring them to participate in administrative tasks such as registration and notification of address changes, thus balancing the need for streamlined administration with the recognition of war service.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 100, Regulations under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, apply to members of the 'A' Class of the Naval Brigade who have served in war service during the period of the First World War, both within and beyond the limits of the Commonwealth. These regulations specifically address the exemption from certain training requirements for those who served overseas for any period or within Australia for a continuous period of four months or more. This exemption does not extend to compulsory parades for registration or other administrative purposes. The regulations also require members to notify any changes of address as mandated by Section 145 of the Defence Act, with failure to comply resulting in penalties as per Section 85 of the same Act. Additionally, the regulations amend the Naval Brigade Regulations by adding a qualification for the rank of Engineer Sub-Lieutenant, stipulating that candidates must be acquainted with the Steam Manual. The scope of these regulations is limited to the Commonwealth of Australia and is enacted under the authority of the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, which came into operation from the specified dates, introduce several key amendments to the Naval Brigade Regulations. Notably, Regulation 225 is repealed and replaced with new provisions (Reg 1). The new Regulation 225 states that members of the ‘A’ Class of the Brigade who have served on war service beyond the limits of the Commonwealth for any period, or within the Commonwealth for a continuous period of four months or more during the War 1914-1919, are exempt from all training prescribed by Part XII of the Defence Act (Reg 1(a)). However, this exemption does not apply to compulsory parades for registration or other administrative purposes, and these members must notify any change of address as per Section 145 of the Defence Act. Failure to comply with this notification requirement will subject the person to the penalty stipulated in Section 85 of the Defence Act (Reg 1(b)). The Regulations also impose obligations on members of the Naval Brigade who meet the specified service criteria. These members are required to notify any changes in their address as mandated by Section 145 of the Defence Act. This obligation ensures that the Brigade maintains accurate records and can effectively communicate with these members for any administrative or compulsory parade purposes (Reg 1(b)). Furthermore, the new Regulation 225 requires members who have served as described to adhere to the exemption from training but remain subject to compulsory parade requirements and address notification duties. Failure to comply with the address notification requirement under Regulation 225 can lead to civil consequences. Specifically, such failure subjects the individual to the penalty provided by Section 85 of the Defence Act (Reg 1(b)). Although the exact nature of the penalty is not detailed in the Regulations, Section 85 of the Defence Act likely outlines the specific sanctions that can be imposed for non-compliance. These penalties could include fines, administrative sanctions, or other disciplinary measures as prescribed by the Defence Act. In summary, the Regulations amend the Naval Brigade Regulations to exempt certain members from training while maintaining their obligations for compulsory parades and address notifications. Breaches of these obligations can lead to penalties as outlined in the Defence Act, ensuring compliance and proper administration within the Naval Brigade.