The ''Defence Act 1903'' (Cth) is an
Act of the
Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia
The Parliament of Australia (officially the Federal Parliament, also called the Commonwealth Parliament) is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It consists of three elements: the monarch (represented by the governor-gen ...
, that acquired royal assent on 22 October 1903.
It was created to allow for the naval and military defence of
Australia. The Act was amended and expanded over time to legislate for and repeal conscription, to incorporate the Naval Defence Act 1910 and the Air Force Act 1923, and today governs how the
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of the Commonwealth of Australia and its national interests. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Fo ...
operates.
Background
On 1 January 1901, the
federation
A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central federal government (federalism). In a federation, the self-govern ...
of the
Australian Colonies to form the
Commonwealth of Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With an area of , Australia is the largest country by ...
was proclaimed, with the newly in force
Constitution of Australia requiring that the colonial military forces be combined under the Commonwealth.
Act
Original
The Act, as originally made, consisted of 11 parts, 124 sections, and 3 schedules.
Current
As of 2021, the Act is divided into 24 parts, 359 sections, and 1 schedule.
Administration
Part II and Part III's Division 1 covers the administrative aspects of the defence force. The rest of part III covers the requirements of service, including reservist service, and remuneration. Part IV deals with the citizenry's liability to serve within the defence forces, while part V covers the Australian Defence Force Cadets. Part VI charges the Governor–General with special powers. Part VII to IX deal with disputes and offences committed under the act.
Analysis
Amendments
Legacy
See also
*
Australian Army
The Australian Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of Australia, a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army (Austral ...
*
Military history of Australia
The military history of Australia spans the nation's 230-year modern history, from the early Australian frontier wars between Aboriginals and Europeans to the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan in the early 21st century. Although this h ...
References
{{Reflist
Acts of the Parliament of Australia
Law of Australia
Australian defence policies