Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1915, No. 103, under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1913, were introduced by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to address procedural updates within the public service framework. This regulation was enacted to supersede the Provisional Regulation made earlier in 1915, specifically targeting the adjustment of the public service's operational hours. The policy objective of this legislation was to streamline and formalise the public service's working hours, enhancing efficiency and ensuring a more structured administrative process. By replacing the outdated time of "half-past 4 o’clock in the afternoon" with "12 o’clock noon," the regulation aimed to bring the public service's operations into alignment with contemporary standards and practices.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument amends the Provisional Regulation (Statutory Rule 1915, No. 38) under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1913, modifying the operational hours for the public service within the Commonwealth of Australia. Specifically, the amendment alters the closing time for public service operations from "half-past 4 o’clock in the afternoon" to "12 o’clock noon." This change is effective immediately upon the issuance of this Statutory Rule, thereby superseding the earlier Provisional Regulation. The alteration pertains to the administration and daily operations of public service offices under the Act, impacting the time frame within which these offices must conduct their business. The regulation applies across the Commonwealth, ensuring uniformity in the operational hours of federal public service entities. There are no exclusions or exemptions noted within the text, implying that the change applies universally to all public service offices governed by the Act unless otherwise specified through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Statutory Rule, as outlined in Regulation 256, involve the amendment of the schedule under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1913. Specifically, section 1 mandates the substitution of "half-past 4 o’clock in the afternoon" with "12 o’clock noon" wherever these terms appear in the schedule (Schedule). This change is significant as it alters the official working hours for Commonwealth public servants, potentially impacting their attendance and performance schedules. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties it governs are primarily centred around the adjustment of working hours. Commonwealth public servants must now adhere to a new schedule that starts at 12 o’clock noon, replacing the previous end time of half-past 4 in the afternoon. This change necessitates that departments and agencies within the public service update their internal records, communication protocols, and operational schedules to reflect the new time frame. It is essential that these adjustments are made promptly and effectively to ensure continuity in public service delivery. Any breaches or non-compliance with the provisions outlined in this Statutory Rule could result in disciplinary actions against the involved public servants, depending on the severity and impact of the breach. The regulation does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or consequences in the provided text, but it can be inferred that failure to adhere to the new working hours could lead to administrative penalties or further action as deemed necessary by the relevant authorities. It is important for public servants to familiarize themselves with the new schedule and ensure they meet their obligations to avoid any potential repercussions.