Commonwealth Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1936 No. 6, Regulations Under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1934, was enacted to amend the Commonwealth Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations, specifically addressing the adjustment of salaries for various positions within the parliamentary service. The regulations were made by the Governor-General in Council, on the advice of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in order to revise remuneration scales for officers in the Third and Fourth Divisions. The policy objective appears to be to ensure fair and structured increments in salaries for parliamentary officers, reflecting their age and experience, while also setting specific caps for certain roles to maintain budgetary controls and performance standards.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922–1934 made in 1936, govern the salaries of officers within the Commonwealth Public Service, specifically those in the Parliamentary Officers category. These Regulations are applicable to individuals employed in specific roles within the Third and Fourth Divisions, such as Legislative Research Clerks, Reading Room Officers, Assistants, and Typists. The changes outlined in the Regulations affect the salary scales for these positions, including age-based increments and specific caps on salary advancements for certain roles. The Regulations extend to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, thereby applying uniformly across all federal jurisdictions. The changes made are limited to adjustments in salary scales and do not affect the broader scope of employment conditions or public service regulations outside the specified roles and divisions. These Regulations are specific to the amendments mentioned and do not introduce new categories of roles or divisions within the Commonwealth Public Service.

Key Provisions

The regulations amend the Commonwealth Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations to alter the salary classifications and rates for certain officers. Specifically, Regulation 69 is amended to update the salary scale for officers in the Third Division, introducing new positions such as Legislative Research Clerk and Reading Room Officer with corresponding salary brackets. Similarly, Regulation 70 modifies the salary scale for officers in the Fourth Division by adding new positions like Assistant and Typist, along with detailed salary increments based on age and proficiency. For instance, an Assistant's salary starts at £87 and increases incrementally to £218 by age 21, with further annual increments of £8 thereafter. The same structure applies to Typists, although their increments differ slightly. These amendments impose clear obligations on the entities governed by these regulations. The relevant departments must ensure that the updated salary scales are accurately applied to the specified positions. This includes correctly classifying new roles and ensuring that officers receive appropriate salary increments based on their age and demonstrated proficiency. For example, a Typist in the Parliamentary Library must have evidence of proficiency to be considered for salary advancement beyond £230 per annum. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in legal consequences. Although the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach are not detailed in the text, breaches of public service regulations typically result in disciplinary actions, financial penalties, or both. Such actions could be taken under the broader framework of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1934, which might include fines or other administrative penalties. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, but they are likely to be substantial enough to ensure compliance with the updated salary scales and classifications.