Navigation (Health) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1922, No. 116, constitute Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1920, enacted by the Deputy of the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. These regulations aim to amend the Navigation (Health) Regulations, specifically adjusting the fees for medical examinations of seamen and apprentices by practitioners not in the Public Service of the Commonwealth. The amendments introduce a new regulation setting the fee for such examinations at £1 1s. 0d, while also modifying existing regulations to clarify the application of these fees. The objective of these amendments is to ensure consistent and specified fee structures for medical inspections, thereby providing clarity and standardisation within the regulatory framework. This legislative instrument was made to address the need for updating the fee structures for medical examinations of seamen and apprentices by non-public service medical practitioners, ensuring that the fees are explicitly stated and uniformly applied across the relevant parts. The regulations were enacted to provide clarity and consistency in the application of fees for these examinations, ultimately aiming to maintain a standardised and transparent process for health inspections in maritime contexts.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1922 No. 116, which amend the Navigation (Health) Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1920, applies to the regulation of health inspections for seamen and apprentices. The Regulations are made under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia and apply nationwide. The amendments introduced by these Regulations specifically address the fees associated with medical examinations conducted by medical practitioners not employed in the Public Service of the Commonwealth. These practitioners, who act as Medical Inspectors of Seamen at designated locations, will now charge a fee of £1 1s. 0d for the medical examination of a seaman or apprentice. This amendment is intended to ensure consistency and clarity in the fees charged for such examinations outside of the Public Service. The scope of these Regulations is limited to health inspections of seamen and apprentices and the fees charged by practitioners who are not part of the Commonwealth Public Service, with no other exclusions or exemptions mentioned. The Regulations may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, ensuring their applicability remains comprehensive and updated as necessary.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1920 involve amendments to the existing Navigation (Health) Regulations, specifically focusing on the fees associated with medical examinations of seamen and apprentices. Regulation 2 is amended to clarify the conditions under which fees are payable, and a new regulation, 2a, is introduced (section 1). Regulation 2a stipulates that when medical examinations are conducted by practitioners not in the Public Service of the Commonwealth, the fee to be paid by the applicant is set at £1 1s. 0d. These provisions aim to ensure clarity and consistency in the payment of fees for medical inspections of seamen and apprentices. The obligations imposed by these regulations primarily concern the parties involved in the medical examination process. Specifically, applicants for medical examinations must adhere to the newly established fee structure outlined in Regulation 2a. Additionally, medical practitioners not in the Public Service of the Commonwealth who act as Medical Inspectors of Seamen are required to charge the specified fee of £1 1s. 0d for examinations conducted at designated locations. This requirement ensures that all parties involved in the process are aware of and comply with the financial obligations and conditions outlined in the regulations. The regulations also address the consequences for non-compliance with the specified fee structure. Although the document does not explicitly detail the penalties for breach, it is reasonable to infer that failure to comply with the stipulated fees or the conditions set forth in the regulations may result in legal repercussions. Given the context of statutory regulations, breaches could potentially lead to civil or administrative penalties, although the exact nature and extent of these consequences are not specified within the text.