Naval College Regulations 1916 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1920 No. 73, Regulations Under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, were enacted to amend the Naval College Regulations, providing updated guidelines for the administration of the Royal Australian Naval College. This legislation was introduced to ensure that the regulations governing the college are in line with current operational needs and to address any issues that may have arisen from previous regulations. The regulations were made by the Governor-General in Council under the authority granted by the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, aiming to provide clarity and consistency in the administration of the naval college. The policy objective was to facilitate the efficient and fair operation of the naval college by updating travel allowances for candidates and modifying other relevant provisions to meet contemporary requirements.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, specifically Statutory Rules 1920, No. 73, apply to candidates who are brought from one state to another to attend the Naval College, as well as to the administration and operations of the Naval College itself. These regulations are enacted by the Governor-General in Council, under the authority of the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, and are designed to amend existing Naval College Regulations. The regulations primarily focus on financial allowances for candidates' travel expenses, including rail or steamer fares and a daily travelling allowance, as well as the adjustment of the allowance when subsistence is included in the fare. The scope of these regulations is confined to the Commonwealth, reflecting the federal nature of the Naval Defence Act. Any exclusions or exemptions are not explicitly detailed within the provided text, but the regulations are clearly targeted towards managing the logistics and financial aspects of candidate travel to the Naval College. The application of these regulations may be further refined or extended through additional subordinate instruments as necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the Naval College.

Key Provisions

The statutory rules primarily modify the Naval College Regulations under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, effective from specified dates in 1920 and 1919. Regulation 13 has been amended to allow candidates who are relocated between states for the convenience of the Committee to receive specific travel allowances. Section 13(1) states that candidates must be reimbursed for rail or steamer fares and a travelling allowance of 10 shillings per day, which covers all expenses other than the fare itself. Section 13(2) reduces this allowance by a quarter if the fare includes subsistence costs, such as meals on a steamer or vessel. Regulation 34 has also been updated to reflect new provisions as stipulated in Statutory Rules 1919, No. 297, effective from 1st February 1919. These regulations impose specific financial obligations on the authorities managing the Naval College. They are required to reimburse candidates for travel costs if they are moved between states for the convenience of the Committee, ensuring that candidates are not left to bear the financial burden of their relocation. This includes covering the cost of rail or steamer fares and providing a daily allowance for other travel expenses. The allowance must be adjusted appropriately if the fare already includes subsistence costs. Breaches of these regulations could lead to financial liabilities for the authorities, as failure to provide the stipulated allowances could result in legal action from candidates who have been unfairly burdened with travel expenses. While the statutory rules do not explicitly outline criminal or civil penalties for non-compliance, the financial implications of not adhering to these provisions could be significant. The authorities could face substantial claims from candidates who have not been reimbursed for their travel costs, potentially leading to costly litigation and reputational damage.