EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1983 NO 283
ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
NAVAL FORCES (WOMEN’S SERVICES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
The Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 1) 1983, assented to on 20 June 1983, amended various acts, including the Naval Defence Act 1910 (the Act). An amendment made to the Act removes the requirement to prescribe discharge authorities and specifies the Chief of Naval Staff as an authority for discharging sailors. There is also provision for the Chief of Naval Staff to delegate that power.
The Naval Forces (Women’s Services) Regulations, made under the Act, make special provision on some matters of administration, including discharge, for female members of the Navy. This Statutory Rule makes various amendments to the Naval Forces (Women’s Services) Regulations corresponding with and supplementing the above-mentioned amendment to the Act.
Regulations 1 and 3 of the Statutory Rule repeal in turn regulations 20 and 21M of the Naval Forces (Women’s Services) Regulations which prescribe authorities who may discharge servicewomen from the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service and the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service Reserve, respectively.
Regulation 2 of the Statutory Rule makes a consequential amendment to regulation 20AA to substitute the Chief of Naval Staff for “an authority” who may determine that the retention of a servicewoman in the Navy is not in the interest of the Navy.
The amendments have effect from the date of gazettal of the Statutory Rule.