EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1985 NO. 92
ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
WILLIAMSTOWN RIFLE RANGE REGULATIONS (REPEAL)
An amendment to the Defence Force Regulations, made concurrently with this Statutory Rule, revises and consolidates legislative provision for defence practice areas by introducing, with effect from 1 July 1985, new provisions of tri-service application.
Existing regulations providing for practices, operations, surveys and associated matters are therefore rendered redundant.
The Williamstown Rifle Range Regulations defined an area near Williamstown (Victoria) for the purpose of rifle range practice. This matter is now covered in the new provisions of the Defence Force Regulations.
Regulations 1 and 2 of the Statutory Rule repeal the Williamstown Rifle Range Regulations with effect from 1 July 1985.
Overview
The Williamstown Rifle Range Regulations (Repeal) was enacted in 1985 by the authority of the Minister for Defence as part of Statutory Rules 1985 No. 92. This piece of legislation was introduced to address the redundancy of existing regulations that had previously defined an area near Williamstown, Victoria, for rifle range practice. These regulations were rendered obsolete with the introduction of the Defence Force Regulations, which provided a revised and consolidated legislative framework applicable to tri-service practices, operations, and surveys, effective from 1 July 1985. The policy objective was to streamline and modernise the legislative provisions governing defence activities by repealing outdated regulations and integrating them into a more comprehensive regulatory scheme.
Scope and Application
The Williamstown Rifle Range Regulations (Repeal) Statutory Rules 1985 pertains to the repeal of the existing regulations that defined the area near Williamstown, Victoria, for rifle range practice, effective from 1 July 1985. This repeal is made concurrently with an amendment to the Defence Force Regulations, which introduces consolidated provisions applicable to all three branches of the Australian Defence Force. The primary focus of the repealed regulations was to delineate the specific area designated for rifle range practice and associated activities. These regulations are now superseded by the new consolidated provisions within the Defence Force Regulations, which encompass practices, operations, surveys and other related matters, thereby streamlining and modernising the legislative framework governing these activities. The geographical scope of this legislative change is limited to the area near Williamstown, Victoria, which is now subject to the broader provisions of the Defence Force Regulations. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions outlined in the Statutory Rules, indicating that the new regulations will apply comprehensively to all activities within the designated area.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of the Williamstown Rifle Range Regulations (Repeal) Statutory Rule are Sections 1 and 2 (Section 1 and Section 2). These sections focus on repealing the existing Williamstown Rifle Range Regulations, which previously defined an area near Williamstown, Victoria, for the purpose of rifle range practice. With effect from 1 July 1985, these regulations are replaced by the new consolidated provisions within the Defence Force Regulations. This amendment ensures that all practices, operations, surveys, and associated matters previously governed by the Williamstown Rifle Range Regulations are now adequately addressed under the new Defence Force Regulations.
The Act imposes certain obligations on the parties or entities it governs, primarily by ensuring that the transition from the old regulations to the new Defence Force Regulations is seamless and effective from the specified date. The repealing of the Williamstown Rifle Range Regulations signifies that any practices or operations that were previously permitted under the old regulations must now comply with the new consolidated legislative provisions. This shift requires all relevant stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the updated Defence Force Regulations to ensure continued compliance and adherence to the new legislative framework.
In terms of breaches and consequences, the Statutory Rule itself does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance. However, it is implicit that any failure to comply with the new Defence Force Regulations post the repeal of the Williamstown Rifle Range Regulations could result in legal ramifications. These might include administrative penalties, enforcement actions, or other legal consequences as stipulated within the Defence Force Regulations. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as outlined in the Defence Force Regulations.
Overall, the Williamstown Rifle Range Regulations (Repeal) Statutory Rule serves as a transitional legislative instrument, ensuring that the governance of rifle range practices near Williamstown, Victoria, is updated to align with the broader Defence Force Regulations. This consolidation aims to provide a more comprehensive and effective legislative framework for defence practice areas, while also imposing obligations on relevant parties to adhere to the new regulations and avoid any potential legal consequences of non-compliance.