Repatriation (Staff) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1932, No. 55, enacted by the Governor-General in accordance with the Federal Executive Council, amends the Repatriation (Staff) Regulations under the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1920-1931. This regulation, effective from 16th April 1931, addresses the need to adjust the remuneration for certain staff within the repatriation services, specifically targeting officers under 21 years of age and adult female officers, as well as female officers under 21 who are employed in specific roles such as Cooks, Cooks’ Assistants, Laundry Assistants, or Seamstresses. The policy objective behind these amendments is to ensure that the financial compensation for these staff members is aligned with economic indices, reflecting increases or decreases in cost-of-living standards. The regulation introduces a new formula for salary adjustments, replacing the previous one by removing paragraphs (i) and (ii) of sub-regulation (1) and substituting them with a new structure that provides an annual increase or decrease of £3 for officers under 21 years of age and £4 for the specified female officers, in response to changes in the index number. This legislative instrument aims to provide a more equitable and responsive remuneration system that adapts to economic fluctuations, thereby maintaining the attractiveness and sustainability of employment within the repatriation services.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1932, No. 55, which are regulations under the Australian Soldiers' Repatriation Act 1920-1931, are directed at modifying the Repatriation (Staff) Regulations, specifically affecting the financial adjustments for officers' salaries based on an index number. These regulations apply to officers within the Australian military, particularly those under 21 years of age and adult female officers or younger female officers in certain classifications such as Cooks, Cooks’ Assistants, Laundry Assistants, or Seamstresses. The changes to Regulation 62 involve altering the financial adjustments by either increasing or decreasing the annual salary based on the index number exceeding or falling short of specific thresholds. This legislative instrument operates within the Commonwealth jurisdiction and does not specify exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond those mentioned in the regulation itself. The regulations are designed to take effect from 16 April 1931 and are made under the authority of the Governor-General, with the concurrence of the Federal Executive Council.

Key Provisions

The primary focus of this legislation is the amendment of the Repatriation (Staff) Regulations under the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1920-1931, specifically concerning the adjustment of annuities based on the index number. Regulation 62, as amended, provides for annual increases or decreases in annuities for certain officers based on the index number. For officers under 21 years of age, the annuity can be increased or decreased by £3 per annum for every 48 points or portion thereof by which the index number exceeds 1,744 or falls below 1,672 (Regulation 62(1)(i)). For adult female officers and female officers under 21 who are classified as Cooks, Cooks’ Assistants, Laundry Assistants, or Seamstresses, the annuity can be increased or decreased by £4 per annum for every 48 points or portion thereof by which the index number exceeds 1,744 or falls below 1,672 (Regulation 62(1)(ii)). These regulations impose specific obligations on the parties involved, particularly those responsible for administering the annuities under the Act. They must ensure that the annuity adjustments are calculated correctly based on the index number and the provisions outlined in Regulation 62. The Repatriation Department or the relevant authorities are tasked with monitoring and adjusting the annuities of eligible officers in accordance with these provisions. This includes maintaining accurate records of the index number, calculating the required adjustments, and implementing these changes promptly. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences mentioned in this statutory rule for non-compliance with the annuity adjustment provisions. However, failure to accurately calculate and adjust annuities as required by the regulation could lead to administrative issues and disputes between the officers and the Repatriation Department. While this specific regulation does not detail penalties, the overarching framework of the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1920-1931 may include provisions for penalties in cases of broader non-compliance with the Act’s requirements. It is essential for the responsible authorities to adhere strictly to these regulations to avoid any potential repercussions.