Naval Financial Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Regulations under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, enacted in 1933, were introduced to amend the existing Naval Financial Regulations. This legislative instrument was established by the Governor-General in the Federal Executive Council and aimed to adjust various financial scales and allowances for naval personnel, including ratings and warrant officers, as well as modify provisions related to travel allowances for members of the Seagoing Forces. The primary objective was to ensure that the financial support provided to naval personnel was aligned with the changing economic conditions and the needs of the service. This was a practical step to maintain the welfare and operational efficiency of the naval forces during that period.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, enacted as Statutory Rules 1933, No. 5, pertain specifically to the financial regulations governing members of the Australian Naval Forces. This legislation applies to all personnel within the Seagoing Forces, including ratings and warrant officers, and their families, particularly in relation to allowances and travel entitlements. The scope of the regulations extends nationally across the Commonwealth, ensuring uniform application regardless of state or territory boundaries. The regulations modify existing financial scales, including per diem allowances based on the number of children, and update rates for various categories of personnel. Furthermore, the regulations establish conditions for transport at Commonwealth expense for return journeys to home during periods of leave, with specific thresholds for eligibility based on rank and cost of travel. These provisions aim to standardise and streamline the financial support mechanisms for naval personnel, reflecting both changes in economic conditions and operational requirements.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these regulations, found in Regulation 41, establish new per diem scales for ratings and warrant officers based on the number of children they have under the age of sixteen (Regulation 1(a)). This amendment replaces the previous scale with a new one, where for example, a rating with one child would receive 29 shillings per day, and a warrant officer with six years of seniority and six children would receive 56 shillings per day. Regulation 1(b) updates the amount paid for each child from 3 shillings to 3 shillings and 3 pence. Regulation 1(c) also introduces a new scale for the rate per diem based on the number of children, replacing the previous scale with a new one. For instance, a rating with one child would receive 19 shillings per diem, while a warrant officer with six years of seniority and six children would receive 56 shillings per diem. Regulation 2 amends Regulation 79 to increase the amount from 1 shilling and 4 pence to 2 shillings and 3 pence. Regulation 3 repeals Regulation 109 and replaces it with a new regulation allowing members of the Seagoing Forces to be granted transport at Commonwealth expense for a return journey to their home within Australia twice a year (Regulation 3(1)). This transport must be by rail if available, and there will be no payment allowed in lieu (Regulation 3(1)). The transport is only granted during periods of Home Service Leave or Foreign Service Leave as defined in Naval Board Standing Orders (Regulation 3(2)). A member must have served for at least three months before being eligible for this concession (Regulation 3(3)). Transport is not allowed for leave granted immediately prior to final discharge from the service (Regulation 3(4)). Additionally, the cost of the return journey must exceed 7 shillings and 6 pence for an officer, or 5 shillings for a rating (Regulation 3(5)). These regulations impose several obligations on the parties governed by them. Firstly, the new per diem scales for ratings and warrant officers must be adhered to based on the number of children under sixteen (Regulation 1(a)). Secondly, the updated amount for each child must be paid accordingly (Regulation 1(b)). Thirdly, the revised rate per diem must be implemented based on the number of children (Regulation 1(c)). Fourthly, the updated amount for Regulation 79 must be applied (Regulation 2). Lastly, the new provisions for transport at Commonwealth expense must be followed, including the eligibility criteria, leave conditions, and cost thresholds (Regulation 3). The regulations do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches. However, failure to adhere to the prescribed per diem scales, updated amounts, or transport regulations could result in non-compliance with the Naval Financial Regulations, potentially leading to disciplinary action or other administrative consequences within the Royal Australian Navy. The precise penalties or consequences for such breaches would be determined by the internal disciplinary processes of the Navy.