Royal Military College of Australia Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1917, No. 189, made under the Defence Act 1903–1915, were enacted to amend the regulations governing the Royal Military College of Australia. This legislative instrument, issued by the Governor-General on 15 August 1917 and signed by the Minister of State for Defence, addresses specific administrative and structural changes within the College. These amendments, including modifications to eligibility criteria for candidates, changes to the composition of faculty, and restrictions on the activities of civil members, aim to adapt the institution to the evolving needs and circumstances of the time, particularly in light of international developments. The policy objective is to ensure that the College continues to operate effectively and aligns with national security requirements.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1917 No. 189, made under the Defence Act 1903-1915, amend the regulations for the Royal Military College of Australia, initially established by Statutory Rules 1916 No. 238. These regulations apply to individuals aspiring to enter the Royal Military College, as well as to civil members employed within the college, and are designed to govern aspects of eligibility, staffing, and professional conduct. The amendments notably adjust the residency requirements for candidates, with specific conditions now applying to natural-born British subjects and those nominated by the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand. Additionally, the regulations modify the staffing provisions by increasing the number of assistant professors or lecturers permitted and impose stricter conditions on civil members, prohibiting them from engaging in other professions or businesses without explicit permission from the Minister. The regulations also extend to the Civil Departments by adding Japanese to the list of languages to be studied, alongside German. These regulations have a national reach within the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting individuals and civil members associated with the Royal Military College of Australia. The changes are effective immediately and do not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond those mentioned in the text. The regulations are part of a broader legislative framework under the Defence Act 1903-1915, which allows for further amendments and extensions through subordinate instruments, as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Defence Act 1903–1915, particularly those concerning the Royal Military College of Australia, introduce several amendments. Regulation 6(i) now specifies that candidates for the College must be natural-born British subjects who have resided in the Commonwealth or in part in New Zealand and part in the Commonwealth for a year before the entrance examination, or those nominated by the New Zealand government. However, candidates for Commonwealth vacancies or their parents must reside in the Commonwealth at the time of the entrance examination. Regulation 19 increases the number of Assistant Professors or Lecturers from four to five. Regulation 29 is repealed and replaced with a new provision stating that civil members must devote their entire time to their departments, except when on leave, and cannot engage in other professions or businesses without written permission from the Minister. Additionally, Regulation 64 expands the civil departments to include Japanese, in addition to German. These Regulations impose several obligations on the parties involved. Candidates for the Royal Military College must meet specific residency criteria or be nominated by the New Zealand government. Civil members of the College must dedicate their full working hours to their departments and seek permission from the Minister to engage in other professional activities. The new regulation also mandates that civil members cannot engage in any other profession or business without explicit written consent from the Minister, ensuring they remain fully committed to their roles at the College. Breaches of these Regulations may lead to civil or criminal consequences. For instance, civil members engaging in other professions or businesses without proper authorization could face disciplinary action, potentially culminating in dismissal or other penalties as deemed appropriate by the Minister. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the Regulations, they may be determined under the broader provisions of the Defence Act 1903–1915 or relevant employment laws. The seriousness of such breaches could also result in legal actions being taken against the offending party, further underscoring the importance of adhering to these stipulations.