Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1916, issued under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902–1916, address a specific issue within the employment conditions of officers performing telephonists’ duties. This legislative instrument was enacted by Sir Arthur Stanley, acting as the Deputy of the Governor-General, in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and came into operation immediately upon its issuance. The primary aim of these regulations was to standardise the conditions of employment for telephonists, ensuring that the provisions governing their duties, whether performed during the day or night, were uniformly applied. This legislative effort aimed to bring clarity and consistency to the previously ambiguous employment conditions for these officers.

Scope and Application

The Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902–1916 pertains specifically to the amendment of Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Statutory Rules 1913, No. 341). This regulation applies to officers within the public service who are performing telephonists' duties, irrespective of whether they are employed on day or night shifts. The scope of the regulation is confined to modifying the existing provisions concerning the terms and conditions of employment for these officers, ensuring consistency in the application of the rules across different shifts. This amendment effectively extends the applicability of the specified provisions to all telephonists' duties without regard to the time of work. The regulation has a national jurisdictional reach, as it is issued under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby impacting all public service officers in the country who fall under its purview. There are no exclusions or exemptions specified in the text, implying that all officers performing the specified duties are subject to the amended regulations. Additionally, the regulation is self-contained and does not reference any subordinate instruments for extending or restricting its application.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1916, No. 264 made under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902–1916 introduces an amendment to Regulation 61, Sub-Regulation (7) paragraph (e). The amendment replaces the existing provision and specifically addresses the conditions for officers who perform telephonists’ duties. This includes both those working day shifts and those working night shifts. The new provision states that for these officers, the rules outlined in paragraphs (a), (b), and (d) will apply regardless of the time of their employment (Reg. 61(7)(e)). The Act imposes specific requirements on employers within the Commonwealth Public Service who employ officers in telephonists' roles. It mandates that these employers ensure that the conditions set out in paragraphs (a), (b), and (d) are met for all officers performing these duties, irrespective of whether they work during the day or night. This means that the same standards for work conditions, pay, and other entitlements must be uniformly applied to both day and night shift officers. Failure to comply with the provisions of the amended Regulation could lead to legal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the text of this statutory rule, breaches of regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902–1916 could potentially lead to disciplinary actions against the employer, fines, or other sanctions as prescribed by the relevant laws. The exact penalties would depend on the specific nature of the breach and the applicable provisions of the overarching Act.