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Commonwealth legislation
This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.
Establishes detailed financial controls for the Commonwealth Naval Forces: who may approve spending, how pay, allowances, travelling, leave, injury compensation and sale of stores are authorised, and the record‑keeping and reporting required. It affects Commandants, Paymasters, officers, ratings and suppliers. It matters because it fixes who decides and who pays, sets monetary limits and reporting deadlines, and therefore shapes administrative burden, incentives to economise, and exposure to audit.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Financial and Allowance Regulations for the Naval Forces of the Commonwealth.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Statutory Rule
1904 No. 8
Obtained from the
Senate Table Office
2003
FINANCIAL AND ALLOWANCE
REGULATIONS
FOR THE
NAVAL FORCES
OF THE
COMMONWEALTH.
1904.
C.1197.
FINANCIAL AND ALLOWANCE REGULATIONS.
PART I.
SECTION I.—DEFINITIONS.
In the following Regulations :—
" Secretary " shall mean the Secretary to the Department of Defence.
" Commandant " shall mean the Officer appointed to command any State Division of the Naval Forces.
" Chief Accountant " shall mean the Officer appointed to be Chief Accountant in the office of the Chief Administration.
" Paymaster " shall mean the Officer appointed to be Paymaster or Accountant Officer of any State Division of the Naval Forces.
" Authorizing Officer " shall mean the Officer appointed to be Authorizing Officer for any State Division of the Naval Forces.
" Paying Officer " shall mean the Officer appointed to be Paying Officer for any State Division of the Naval Forces.
" Executive Officer " shall mean an Officer of the Executive Branch of the Forces.
SECTION II.—INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMANDANTS.
Instructions to Commandants
1. Commandants are held responsible for the economical expenditure of all moneys provided in the annual Estimates for their respective commands ; and they are further responsible that no liability is incurred against Votes in excess of the provision made.
Every credit will be given to Commandants and other officers concerned for economies effected under the different Votes, and for economical administration coupled with satisfactory efficiency.
Each Commandant is authorized—
(a) To approve of all requisitions for supplies within the Votes on the Estimates, which are governed by regulations.
(b) To approve of any other expenditure (not exceeding £50 in any one case) under the Divisions or Subdivisions of any Votes for Contingencies, General Services, Maintenance of existing Arms and Equipment, provided he has satisfied himself that funds are available ; that it is not a new Vote or item or involving any alteration of existing rules or practice ; that there is nothing irregular in the character of the expenditure ; and that it is not an allowance or payment to any member of the Forces (except such as is governed by Regulation and does not require Ministerial approval).
(c) To approve of the employment of casual labour (non-clerical) for any period not exceeding fourteen days in any one month where provision exists on the Estimates for extra labour ; but no person shall be employed under this authority for a longer period than six weeks in the whole during any twelve months.
(d) To approve, under the Regulations governing Compensation for Injuries, of all awards of compensation under paragraph 53, where the award does not exceed payment of compensation for one month, and the medical expenses do not exceed £5.
(e) To approve, after due inquiry, and in accordance with any regulations on the subject, of the striking off charge of stores lost or damaged, where the value does not exceed £5.
(f) To approve of increments to Warrant Officers, Petty Officers, and men, where such are provided and prescribed by the Regulations.
(g) The expenditure under paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e)is not to exceed £60 per month without further Ministerial authority.
4. A monthly schedule of expenditure incurred by each Commandant, under the authority in paragraph 3, clauses (b) to (e) inclusive, and not provided for by the Regulations, shall (after being
signed by the Commandant) be forwarded to the Secretary not later than the 7th of each month, in the following form :—
Return of Expenditure Authorized by the Commandant.
(Note.—It is not necessary to include Expenditure governed by Regulations in this Return.)
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr style="height:1pt"><td style="width:53.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#ffffff"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; text-align:center; background-color:#ffffff"><span>Date.</span></p></td><td style="width:51.8pt; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#ffffff"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; text-align:center; background-color:#ffffff"><span>Name.</span></p></td><td style="width:63.5pt; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#ffffff"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; text-align:center; background-color:#ffffff"><span>Particulars.</span></p></td><td colspan="3" style="width:100.25pt; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#ffffff"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; text-align:center; background-color:#ffffff"><span>Amount.</span></p></td><td style="width:65.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#ffffff"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; text-align:center; background-color:#ffffff"><span>Vote to which charged.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:48.75pt"><td style="width:53.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#ffffff"><div style="background-color:#ffffff"><p style="margin-left:10.8pt; text-indent:-10.8pt; text-align:justify"><span></span></p></div></td><td style="width:51.8pt; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#ffffff"><div style="background-color:#ffffff"><p style="margin-left:10.8pt; text-indent:-10.8pt; text-align:justify"><span></span></p></div></td><td style="width:63.5pt; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#ffffff"><div style="background-color:#ffffff"><p style="margin-left:10.8pt; text-indent:-10.8pt; text-align:justify"><span></span></p></div></td><td style="width:30.75pt; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#ffffff"><div style="background-color:#ffffff"><p style="margin-left:10.8pt; text-indent:-10.8pt; text-align:justify"><span></span></p></div></td><td style="width:31.3pt; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#ffffff"><div style="background-color:#ffffff"><p style="margin-left:10.8pt; text-indent:-10.8pt; text-align:justify"><span></span></p></div></td><td style="width:30.2pt; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#ffffff"><div style="background-color:#ffffff"><p style="margin-left:10.8pt; text-indent:-10.8pt; text-align:justify"><span></span></p></div></td><td style="width:65.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#ffffff"><div style="background-color:#ffffff"><p style="margin-left:10.8pt; text-indent:-10.8pt; text-align:justify"><span></span></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table>
Commandants are not to vary any payments provided for under Regulations.
Proposed expenditure under Votes for Heavy Gun and Small Arm Ammunition; for Warlike Stores ; and Estimates of expenditure within the current year's Estimates for Annual Trainings will be submitted by the Commandant to the Minister.
When it is necessary to make re-arrangements or transfers in connexion with any Votes, application is to be made through the Secretary.
When a Commandant submits any proposal involving expenditure, such proposal should be accompanied by a statement from the Authorizing Officer or Paymaster, showing—
(a) The Division, Subdivision, and Item of the Estimates to which the expenditure should be charged.
(b) That money is available on the Vote.
The Commandant will, in addition, state that, with his knowledge of the requirements for the remaining period of the financial year, the proposed expenditure will not involve the necessity for applying for additional funds on any Vote concerned.
When grants are provided for in the Estimates, authority to pay them is to be obtained by the Authorizing Officer on the recommendation of the Commandant.
11. Unless by special Ministerial sanction, all payments authorized by these Regulations shall be subject to the necessary provision being made by Parliament.
SECTION III.—PAYMASTERS.—DUTIES AND GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.
Duties of Paymasters
The duties of a Paymaster will be as under :—
He will be responsible for the disbursement of the public moneys in accordance with the Regulations, and with any instruction or authority issued by the Minister.
He will be held responsible that no arrear occurs in the work of his office, and that the books are posted up daily, so that they may at all times be ready for examination.
He will act as financial adviser to the Commandant upon all questions involving expenditure.
He will keep the Commandant informed of all expenditure on Votes, with the view of assisting him to prevent any Vote being exceeded.
He will be responsible that all accounts in the Pay Office are kept strictly in accordance with the " Treasury Regulations."
All accounts other than those dealt with under Regulations by other officers shall pass through the office of the Paymaster, who will be responsible that the amount of the appropriation for any Division or Subdivision of the Estimates, or any Loan Appropriation, or Trust Fund Credit, is not exceeded without due authority.
He will, in the event of receiving any claim which appears to him not authorized by the Regulations or instructions of the Minister, point out the same in writing to the Commandant. Should the Commandant consider that, on the contrary, such claim is covered by the Regulations or authority of the Minister, an immediate report as to the circumstances of the case will be made by the Commandant to the Secretary for submission to the Minister; and the account shall not be paid without the approval of the Minister.
He will not apply Public Moneys to any purpose not authorized by the Regulations of the Service, nor will he advance (except as hereinafter provided), lend, or exchange any sums for which he is accountable, nor will he exchange private cheques out of public funds. In the case of members of the Forces travelling on duty, where extended absence is probable, and cash fares, &c., exceeding a total sum of £5, may require to be paid, an advance up to 75 per cent. of the maximum allowance that can be claimed may be made.
He will be liable for the amount of disallowances arising from errors or overissues made by him in disregard of Regulations or in the absence of proper authority.
Should difficulty be experienced in recovering money due from officers or others, he will at once represent the circumstances officially to the Commandant, who will, if necessary, refer the matter to the Secretary, for submission to the Minister.
He will submit to the Commandant all queries of the Auditor-General, or other officer appointed by him, together with the correspondence, if any, involved. In the case of a reply being deemed to be unsatisfactory by the Auditor-General, or his officer, the matter is to be referred, through the Commandant, to the Secretary, for submission, to the Minister.
24. Paymasters will see that a copy of the Audit Act and the Treasury Regulations are supplied to every officer receiving or disbursing Public Moneys, and they will obtain receipts for such supply.
25.—Instructions as to Payments.
Payments.
An amount provided on the Appropriation Act as salary for one appointment shall not be utilized for the payment of the salaries or portions thereof of two persons for the same period.
No officer is to be paid the salary of any position to which he has not been appointed by Order in Council.
In no cases, except those governed by Regulations, are any allowances to be paid to any members of the Forces, unless such allowances have been authorized by Order in Council, or by the Minister.
Overtime money is not to be paid unless the same has received Ministerial approval.
Salary or wages must not be paid from any Vote for " Contingencies," or from any Vote other than that of a Salary Vote or a Vote for " General Services," except with the special approval of the Minister.
In no case should any person be temporarily employed without Ministerial approval, except as provided in para. 3 (c).
In the case of any work being carried out in any State by artificers who are ordinarily employed in another State, the cost of material and labour will be charged to the State for which the work is performed. This will also apply to travelling expenses.
26.—Transfer of Members of the Forces.
Transfer of Members.
In every case where an officer, warrant or petty officer, or man of any branch of the Naval Forces in one State is transferred to another State, the Paymaster of the State to which the officer, warrant or petty officer, or man is transferred, is to be immediately advised by the Paymaster of the State from which the transfer takes place of the following particulars :—
Rate of pay.
Details of all allowances ; and whether in quarters.
Date to which payment has been drawn.
Date of attestation.
Date of re-engagement.
Should a Paymaster fail to receive these particulars on the transfer of any officer, warrant or petty officer, or man, it will be his duty to at once communicate with the Paymaster of the State concerned, with a view of obtaining them.
Debiting Cost of Transfers.
Whenever any members of the Forces are transferred from one State to another, the cost of such transfers shall be debited to the States to which they are transferred.
Cheques.—Provision for Signing of
Cheques.
27. All cheques will be signed by the Paying Officer, or such other officer as may be dealing with the advances or credit against which the cheques are drawn, and countersigned by the Authorizing Officer, or such other officer as may, in accordance with the Treasury Regulations, be appointed for the purpose.
28. The names of the countersigning officers, with their specimen signatures, will be forwarded by the Authorizing Officer to the managers of the banks in which the accounts are kept, who will be advised by the Treasury as to the appointment of Paying Officers. See also Section 18 of the Audit Act.
Payments to the Department.
Payments to Departments.
29. All payments to the Department in any State are to be made to the Paymaster; and bank drafts, cheques, post-office orders, or postal notes are to be made payable to the Paymaster, or order.
30. The official receipt given and accepted shall only be that issued by the Receiver of Public Moneys.
Correspondence.
31. On questions of departmental procedure or routine respecting financial matters not involving the decision of Commandants, Paymasters will communicate direct with the Secretary or the Chief Accountant, as may be necessary.
Returns.
32. All other communications and returns involving the decision of Commandants will pass through the Commandants.
33. Paymasters will forward to the Secretary, immediately after the first of each month, a return showing any changes in permanent officers, or
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.