War Financial Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1919, No. 283, represent a regulation made under the Defence Act 1903-1918 by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. This legislative instrument was enacted to address the need for financial allowances for Defence personnel undertaking special duties, a matter that arose during the First World War. By amending the War Financial Regulations, this regulation ensures that Defence personnel who perform such duties can receive supplementary allowances approved by the Minister. The policy objective is to provide adequate financial support to Defence members who are called upon for additional responsibilities, reflecting the evolving nature of military engagements and the necessity to compensate for extra workload and risk.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules of 1919, No. 283, constitute a regulation under the Defence Act 1903-1918 and apply to the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically addressing amendments to the War Financial Regulations. These regulations pertain to the allowances that may be granted to members of the Defence forces when they are called upon to perform special duties. The regulation, which is deemed to have come into operation as from 1st January, 1915, grants the Minister the authority to approve additional allowances beyond the standard rates set out in regulations 1 and 2. This regulation aims to ensure that members of the Defence forces are adequately compensated for the extra responsibilities they may undertake during wartime or in special circumstances. The scope of the regulation is limited to financial allowances for Defence personnel and does not extend to other aspects of Defence operations or conduct outside the financial realm.

Key Provisions

The main operative section of this statutory rule is regulation 30b (C1919L00283), which allows the Minister to approve allowances in addition to the rates prescribed in regulations 1 and 2 when members are called upon to perform special duties. This regulation is designed to provide financial support to members who undertake additional responsibilities beyond their regular duties. Regulation 30b is inserted after regulation 30a and is deemed to have come into operation from 1st January, 1915. This Act imposes specific obligations on the Minister, who is responsible for approving any additional allowances for members undertaking special duties. The Minister must assess each case on its merits, ensuring that the additional duties warrant the supplementary financial support. The regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1918 govern these allowances, providing a framework within which the Minister operates. The Act also ensures that these allowances are only granted when necessary, maintaining financial discipline while recognising the extra effort required from members in certain circumstances. Failure to comply with the provisions of this regulation could result in financial mismanagement or unfair treatment of members who are genuinely performing additional duties. Although the statute does not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance, breaches could lead to administrative consequences, including investigations and potential disciplinary action against the Minister or other officials responsible for the oversight of these allowances. The consequences of breaching this regulation are not explicitly outlined in the text, but it can be inferred that non-compliance could result in civil or administrative penalties. These might include financial restitution for improperly granted allowances or corrective measures to ensure that only eligible members receive the additional financial support. The maximum penalties, if applicable, would depend on the specific nature of the breach and the provisions of other related legislation.