STATUTORY RULES.
1920. No. 21.
COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC SERVICE REGULATIONS (FIFTH AMENDMENT, 1920).
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902–1918, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this twenty-eighth day of January, 1920.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
LITTLETON E. GROOM.
for the Prime Minister.
Amendment of Commonwealth Public Service Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 341.)
Regulation 142 of the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations is amended by adding at the end thereof the following proviso:—
“Provided further that an officer who has served with satisfactory record in any Expeditionary Force raised under the provisions of the Defence Act 1903–1918 may, upon transfer, be paid the salary of such subdivision as the Commissioner determines.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Fifth Amendment, 1920) were enacted to address the need to integrate personnel from the armed forces back into the public service, particularly those who had served in the Expeditionary Forces during World War I. This legislative instrument amends the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations to ensure that officers who had a satisfactory record while serving in any Expeditionary Force established under the Defence Act 1903–1918 can be transferred back into the public service and compensated according to the salary of the relevant subdivision, as determined by the Commissioner. The policy objective is to recognise and reward the service of these individuals, facilitating their reintegration into civilian public sector roles. This amendment was made under the authority of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902–1918 by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council.
Scope and Application
The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Fifth Amendment, 1920) applies to officers within the Commonwealth Public Service who have served with a satisfactory record in any Expeditionary Force raised under the Defence Act 1903–1918. Specifically, it pertains to those officers who are transferred within the public service and seeks to ensure they receive a salary that aligns with their service record. The regulation amends existing provisions within the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations to incorporate this proviso, thereby extending the scope of salary determination for these officers. The legislative instrument is a statutory rule made under the authority of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902–1918, and its amendments come into immediate effect. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within this particular amendment, and it operates within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, influencing how salaries are managed across federal public service roles.
Key Provisions
The main operative section of this legislation, specifically Regulation 142 of the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, has been amended to allow for officers who have served with a satisfactory record in any Expeditionary Force raised under the Defence Act 1903–1918 to be transferred to a Commonwealth Public Service position and paid a salary commensurate with their rank in the Expeditionary Force. The Commissioner is vested with the discretion to determine the appropriate salary subdivision for such officers (Regulation 142).
This amendment imposes specific obligations on the Commonwealth Public Service and the Commissioner. It mandates that officers who have served in the Expeditionary Forces and meet the satisfactory service criteria can be transferred to a public service role. The Commissioner must assess the officer’s service record and determine a suitable salary subdivision that reflects the officer’s rank or position in the Expeditionary Force. This process ensures that veterans are fairly compensated based on their military experience and contributions.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this regulation may result in legal consequences. While specific penalties are not outlined in the text, breaches of regulations could lead to administrative or disciplinary actions against the responsible authorities. Additionally, officers who do not receive the appropriate salary as determined by the Commissioner may have grounds for a complaint or grievance, potentially leading to further administrative review or judicial intervention.
The regulation underscores the commitment to recognising and rewarding service in the Expeditionary Forces by integrating these veterans into the Commonwealth Public Service with appropriate remuneration. This ensures that their contributions are acknowledged and that they are not disadvantaged when transitioning to civilian roles. The inclusion of this proviso in the regulations reflects a broader policy of supporting those who have served their country.