Repatriation (Staff) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1947 No. 16, made under the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1920-1946, was enacted to address the need for salary adjustments for officers due to changes in the cost of living post-World War II. This legislative instrument was created by the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The policy objective of this regulation is to ensure that the salaries of officers are adjusted in accordance with the cost of living index, reflecting the economic changes experienced during and immediately after the war. The regulation specifically adjusts the salary variation schedule to take effect from December 1946, rather than November 1946, to better align with the economic conditions at the time.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1947, No. 16, enacted under the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1920-1946, applies to the salaries of officers within the repatriation sector, specifically those covered by the Repatriation (Staff) Regulations. This regulation pertains to Commonwealth employees who are part of the administrative and operational framework supporting the repatriation of soldiers. It modifies existing sub-regulations to adjust salaries based on the cost of living, effective from December 1946, rather than November 1946 as initially stipulated. This amendment reflects a nationwide application across all states and territories of Australia, ensuring a uniform approach to salary adjustments for the designated personnel. There are no explicit exclusions or exemptions stated within this particular regulation, but it does operate within the broader scope of the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1920-1946, which itself may have other provisions governing various aspects of repatriation services. The regulation does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments in this instance, focusing solely on the salary adjustment mechanism.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation (Regulation 24 of the Repatriation (Staff) Regulations) involve the amendment of salary adjustments for officers based on changes in the cost of living. Specifically, Regulation 24(5a) provides that the index number for the six months ended 30 September 1946 shall be deemed to be 99.7. Consequently, officers’ salaries will be adjusted in accordance with this deemed index number, with the adjustment taking effect from the first pay period in December 1946 rather than from November 1946 as originally scheduled. This Act imposes obligations on the relevant authorities to ensure that the salaries of officers are adjusted as specified. The adjustment is to be made in accordance with the deemed index number, reflecting the changes in the cost of living as of the specified period. This adjustment is to be implemented from the first pay period in December 1946, which represents a shift from the previously scheduled adjustment date in November 1946. The Act does not explicitly outline any offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches. However, it is implied that failure to comply with the mandated salary adjustments could result in legal consequences. The specific nature and extent of these consequences would likely be determined by the overarching Repatriation Act 1920-1946 and other relevant regulations or administrative directives. For more detailed information regarding penalties and enforcement mechanisms, one would need to refer to the broader legislative framework under which these regulations operate.