Broadcasting and Television Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Broadcasting and Television Regulations 1971, under the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942, were introduced to address the need for updated remuneration and allowances for members of the Australian Broadcasting Control Board and the Australian Broadcasting Commission, as well as the General Manager of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. Enacted by the Governor-General on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations aim to ensure that those in key roles within the broadcasting and television sector are adequately compensated for their duties. The objective is to maintain the operational efficiency of the Australian Broadcasting Commission by providing appropriate financial incentives to its members and the General Manager. This legislative instrument amends the existing Broadcasting and Television Regulations to reflect current remuneration rates and travelling allowances, ensuring that they are commensurate with the responsibilities and demands of their roles.

Scope and Application

The Broadcasting and Television Regulations, amended by Statutory Rules 1971 No. 163, pertain to the remuneration and allowances for specific personnel within the broadcasting industry in Australia. This legislative instrument applies to members of the Australian Broadcasting Control Board, members of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, and the General Manager of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. These individuals must be in the course of performing their duties to be eligible for the allowances. The allowances, as set out in the newly inserted regulations, are applicable to any period of office on or after the twenty-sixth day of April, 1971, and before the first day of January, 1972. This includes the payment of remuneration to members of the Board and Commissioners, as well as a salary and an annual allowance for the General Manager. The regulations further detail the rates of these allowances, distinguishing between full-time and part-time members of the Board and Commissioners, and also specify the travelling allowances for these personnel when they are absent overnight from their ordinary place of residence or when they perform duties outside Australia and the Territories of the Commonwealth. The allowances provided are supplementary to the cost of conveyance and do not include it.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these regulations pertain to the remuneration and allowances payable to certain members of the Australian Broadcasting Control Board, the Australian Broadcasting Commission, and the General Manager of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. Specifically, Regulation 27 sets out the rates of remuneration for the Chairman of the Board, part-time members of the Board, and other members of the Board, as well as for the Chairman of the Commission, the Vice-Chairman of the Commission, and other Commissioners. It also specifies the salary and annual allowance for the General Manager of the Commission. Regulation 28 outlines the travelling allowances payable to a member of the Board, a Commissioner, and the General Manager of the Commission when they are necessarily absent overnight from the town in which they ordinarily reside while performing their duties. It further details the allowances payable when duties are performed outside Australia and the Territories of the Commonwealth. The obligations imposed by these regulations require the Australian Broadcasting Control Board and the Australian Broadcasting Commission to ensure that the specified members and the General Manager are compensated according to the rates and allowances outlined in Regulations 27 and 28. This includes ensuring that any applicable travelling allowances are paid to the relevant individuals when they are absent from their ordinary place of residence while performing their duties. The regulations also mandate that these allowances are paid in addition to the cost of conveyance, meaning that the individuals are entitled to reimbursement for their travel expenses beyond what is provided by their allowances. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned within the regulations themselves for breach of these provisions. However, failure to comply with the stipulated remuneration and allowance requirements could potentially result in legal consequences under the broader legislative framework governing the Australian Broadcasting Control Board and the Australian Broadcasting Commission. Any such consequences would be determined in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations that govern the enforcement and compliance mechanisms within the Australian legal system.