Cities Commission Regulations

Overview

Statutory Rules 1973 No. 142, known as the Cities Commission Regulations, were made under the Cities Commission Act 1972-1973 and provide specific guidelines for the remuneration and allowances for the Chairman, Associate Commissioner, and part-time Commissioners of the Cities Commission. These regulations were enacted by the Governor-General of Australia, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, and were notified in the Australian Government Gazette on 26 July 1973. The primary purpose of these regulations is to ensure that the officials of the Cities Commission receive appropriate compensation for their duties, including allowances for travel and service outside Australia, thereby facilitating their effective performance within the framework of the Cities Commission Act. The policy objective underpinning these regulations is to provide clear and consistent guidelines for the remuneration and allowances of the Cities Commission officials, ensuring that they are fairly compensated for their roles and responsibilities. This aids in maintaining the operational efficiency and integrity of the Cities Commission, which was established to provide advice and support in matters relating to urban and regional development. The regulations aim to address the practical needs of the officials by specifying their entitlements in a detailed and structured manner.

Scope and Application

The Cities Commission Regulations, made under the Cities Commission Act 1972-1973, apply to the Chairman, Associate Commissioner, and part-time Commissioners of the Cities Commission. These regulations cover aspects such as remuneration, travelling allowances, allowances for service outside Australia, and living allowances for the Chairman. The scope of these regulations is limited to the financial and logistical support for the officials of the Cities Commission in the performance of their duties. The application of these regulations is nationwide, given that the Cities Commission is a federal body, impacting its officials across various states and territories of Australia. Notably, the regulations exclude the cost of conveyance from the travelling allowance and do not extend to circumstances where officials are not necessarily absent overnight from their designated locations for duty purposes. Any further extension or restriction of these regulations is potentially managed through subordinate instruments, although the provided text does not detail such provisions.

Key Provisions

The Cities Commission Regulations, made under the Cities Commission Act 1972-1973, detail the financial provisions for the Chairman, Associate Commissioner, and part-time Commissioners of the Cities Commission. Firstly, section 2 specifies the remuneration for the Chairman and part-time Commissioners. The Chairman’s annual remuneration is set at Twenty-nine thousand two hundred and fifty dollars per year, with an additional annual allowance of One thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars per year, applicable for periods before 1st January, 1974. Meanwhile, part-time Commissioners are to receive Two thousand six hundred dollars per year. Secondly, section 3 outlines the travelling allowance for the Chairman, Associate Commissioner, and part-time Commissioners. This allowance is payable when the Chairman or the Associate Commissioner is absent overnight from Canberra, or when a part-time Commissioner is absent overnight from the city in which they normally reside. The Chairman is entitled to a daily allowance of Thirty-four dollars, while the Associate Commissioner and part-time Commissioners are entitled to Twenty-five dollars per day. This allowance is in addition to the cost of conveyance and applies to absences on or after 15th July, 1973. Additionally, section 4 addresses allowances for service outside Australia. The Chairman and the Associate Commissioner are entitled to allowances equivalent to what they would receive if they were in other specific positions within the Public Service of the Commonwealth. For instance, the Chairman is entitled to allowances as if he were the Permanent Head of a Department receiving a salary equal to the Secretary to the Department of Urban and Regional Development. Similarly, the Associate Commissioner is entitled to allowances as if he were an officer in the Second Division of the Public Service. However, if these individuals are entitled to travelling allowances for their overseas duties, they are not entitled to additional travelling allowances under section 3. Furthermore, section 5 establishes a living allowance for the Chairman, which varies depending on the period of office. From 15th July, 1973, to 31st August, 1973, the Chairman receives Ninety-five dollars per week, and from 1st September, 1973, to 31st July, 1974, the allowance reduces to Twenty dollars per week. Lastly, the Regulations impose obligations and requirements on the parties involved. The Cities Commission must ensure that the remuneration, allowances, and other financial provisions are adhered to strictly. Failure to comply with these provisions could result in legal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the Regulations, breaches of similar legislative instruments typically incur fines and other administrative penalties under the relevant Acts and Regulations. The precise nature and extent of these penalties would depend on the specific breach and the applicable legislation.