Naval Financial Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Naval Financial Regulations (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1981 No. 269, enacted on 22 September 1981, were made by the Minister of State for Administrative Services acting on behalf of the Minister of State for Defence. This legislation amends the Naval Financial Regulations to adjust the amount of good conduct increments for service members within the Australian Defence Force. The amendment increases the increment amount from $125 to $135, effective for service on or after 4 June 1981. This interim determination was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 25 September 1981 and builds upon previous amendments to the Naval Financial Regulations, indicating a policy objective to ensure fair and timely compensation adjustments for service personnel.

Scope and Application

The Naval Financial Regulations 1981 (Amendment) Interim Determination pertains specifically to the financial regulations governing the Australian Defence Force. It applies to members of the Navy who are serving on or after 4 June 1981, thereby incorporating amendments to their financial entitlements, such as the adjustment of good conduct increments from $125 to $135. This amendment is applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting all personnel who are part of the Navy and whose service commences from the specified date. The Interim Determination is an extension of the Defence Amendment Act 1979 and does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions. However, it is understood that the application of these regulations is limited to the naval branch of the Defence Force, and the adjustments made are confined to financial increments, without altering other aspects of service conditions.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules 1981 No. 2691, titled "Naval Financial Regulations (Amendment)", primarily focus on the amendment of the Naval Financial Regulations concerning good conduct increments for service members. Regulation 38(2) has been altered to change the specified amount of the good conduct increment from $125 to $135 (sections 1 and 2). These amendments are designed to adjust the financial benefits provided to naval personnel based on their conduct, effective from 4 June 1981. The obligations and requirements imposed by these regulations on the parties or entities they govern are straightforward. The amended Naval Financial Regulations must now reflect the new increment amount of $135 instead of $125 for eligible service members. This change applies to all service performed on or after the effective date of 4 June 1981, ensuring that any financial entitlements are calculated based on the updated regulations. Regarding the potential consequences for breaches, the legislation does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance with the amended regulations. However, it is reasonable to infer that any failure to adhere to these financial regulations could lead to administrative penalties or legal actions as stipulated under the broader Defence Force Discipline Act 1986 or other relevant military laws. The exact nature and severity of such consequences would depend on the specific circumstances of the breach and the discretion of the relevant authorities.