EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1983 NO 322
ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
NAVAL FORCES (WOMEN’S SERVICES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
The Naval Forces Regulations, made under the Naval Defence Act 1910 (“the Act”), make provision for disciplinary matters and conditions of service, other than financial conditions of service, for members of the Navy generally. The Naval Forces (Women’s Services) Regulations (“the Regulations”), also made under the Act, make special provision on some matters for female members of the Navy. Under regulation 26 of the Regulations, the Naval Forces Regulations apply to female members where no separate provision is made by the Regulations.
It is proposed to recruit female apprentices into the Navy in 1984, under the same conditions as their male counterparts who are enlisted from the age of 15 for an initial period of 9 years.
Regulation 14 of the Regulations prescribed a minimum age of 17 and a maximum age of 40 (or 50 in special circumstances) for appointment to or enlistment
in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service. Regulation 14 also required recruits to pass a medical examination approved by the Chief of Naval Staff.
Regulation 1 of this Statutory Rule repeals regulation 14. There is no requirement for the proposed minimum age of 15 or for a maximum age to be prescribed for recruits; and, in the absence of separate provision for females, the provision in regulation 43 of the Naval Forces Regulations for recruits to be examined by a medical officer will apply to both male and female recruits.
Sub-regulation 15(1) of the Regulations prescribed, for the purposes of sub-section 25(1) of the Act, periods of 4 or 6 years for enlistment in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service.
Regulation 2 of this Statutory Rule amends sub-regulation 15(1) to prescribe periods of enlistment of 4, 6 or 9 years.
The amendments have effect from the date of gazettal of the Statutory Rule.