OFFICERS’ COMPENSATION.
No. 27 of 1915.
An Act to provide for Compensation to be paid on Retirement or on Decease of certain Officers of the Commonwealth.
[Assented to 25th August, 1915.]
Preamble.
BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, for the purpose of appropriating the grant originated in the House of Representatives, as follows:—
Short title.
1. This Act may be cited as the Officers’ Compensation Act 1915.
Payments to be made.
2. There shall be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is hereby appropriated accordingly, the following sums:—
To the widow of Harold C. Dannevig, formerly Director of Fisheries.. | £1,128 | 0 | 0 |
To the widow or children of Colonel H. Le Mesurier, formerly Commandant, Military Forces, South Australia | 362 | 10 | 0 |
To the widow of Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. Reade, C.B., formerly officer on exchange in Canada (in addition to £100 already paid) | 450 | 0 | 0 |
To the widow of H. C. Bright, formerly Letter Carrier, Mitcham, South Australia | 60 | 0 | 0 |
To the father of J. Hamilton, formerly labourer, Woodlark Island.... | 390 | 0 | 0 |
To the widow of James Charles Edge, formerly carpenter, Woodlark Island | 468 | 0 | 0 |
To the widow of G. W. C. Pim, formerly Master of the Endeavour (in addition to payment of £500 under Seamen’s Compensation Act 1911) | 124 | 0 | 0 |
To the widow of C. T. Harrisson, formerly Biologist of the Endeavour (in addition to payment of £500 under the Commonwealth Workmen’s Compensation Act 1912) | 20 | 0 | 0 |
To the mother of Cecil Lowe Mallon, formerly labourer, Kalgoorlie-Port Augusta Railway | 250 | 0 | 0 |
To the father of Private C. H. J. Walker, No. 1297, 43rd Infantry, accidentally killed at Maroubra Camp, New South Wales | 100 | 0 | 0 |
To the widow of J. C. Hoey, formerly Chief Carpenter, Royal Australian Navy | 89 | 0 | 0 |
To the widow of William Adam, formerly Electrical Engineer’s Branch, Sydney | 175 | 0 | 0 |
To the widow of John Samuel Rankin, formerly Telegraphist, Deniliquin, New South Wales | 110 | 0 | 0 |
To the mother of Thomas Peter Moye, formerly Sorter, Mail Branch, New South Wales | 124 | 0 | 0 |
Total.............. | £3,850 | 10 | 0 |
Overview
The Officers’ Compensation Act 1915 was enacted to address the need for financial support for the families of certain Commonwealth officers who had retired or passed away. The Act was enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia. It provided a grant to be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to the beneficiaries of the deceased officers, ensuring that their families received appropriate compensation for their loss. The policy objective was to provide immediate financial relief to the families of Commonwealth officers who had died in the line of duty or after retirement, recognising their service and sacrifices for the nation.
Scope and Application
The Officers’ Compensation Act 1915 applies to certain officers of the Commonwealth who have either retired or passed away. Specifically, it provides for financial compensation to be paid to the widows, children, or parents of these officers. This Act pertains to a defined group of individuals, namely those listed in the Act who have served in various capacities within the Commonwealth, including roles such as Director of Fisheries, Commandant of Military Forces, and officers in the Royal Australian Navy. The compensation is intended as a form of recognition and support for the dependents of these officers following their service. The geographic reach of this Act is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no explicit exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds mentioned within the text of the Act itself; however, the specific individuals eligible for compensation are clearly delineated. The Act does not explicitly extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments within the provided text.
Key Provisions
The Officers’ Compensation Act 1915, as its name suggests, provides for the payment of compensation to the widows, children, or parents of certain officers of the Commonwealth upon their retirement or death (s.2). This Act was enacted to allocate specific sums from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to compensate these individuals. The amounts are designated for the beneficiaries of deceased officers, including widows, children, and parents, with each beneficiary receiving a specific sum as outlined in section 2.
The Act imposes an obligation on the Commonwealth to make payments to the beneficiaries listed, which include widows, children, and parents of deceased officers. The payments are to be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is designated for this purpose by the Act. The named beneficiaries are to receive the specified sums for their losses, reflecting the Commonwealth’s commitment to compensate those affected by the service or death of officers.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act could result in legal consequences for the Commonwealth, though the Act itself does not specify penalties for non-compliance. The Act’s focus is on the obligation to pay the designated sums, with no explicit mention of penalties for non-payment or delayed payment. The seriousness of the obligation is underscored by the legislative process, which involves the assent of the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.