Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Fourth Amendment) 1920, enacted by the Governor-General in Council under the authority of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902–1918, introduced adjustments to the salary scales for certain positions within the Commonwealth Public Service. This amendment was necessitated to address the need for equitable remuneration for public service roles, specifically targeting the positions of Artificer, Foreman, and Inspector. By raising the maximum salary for these roles from £306 to £360 per annum, the legislation aimed to align public sector wages with prevailing market conditions and ensure the attractiveness and sustainability of public service careers. This legislative instrument was issued under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902–1918 to modify the existing regulations governing public service salaries. The enactment reflects the policy objective of maintaining fair and competitive compensation within the public sector, ensuring that key positions are adequately rewarded to attract and retain skilled personnel. The regulation was intended to take effect from 1 July 1919, underscoring the urgency and importance of addressing salary disparities in the public service.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Fourth Amendment, 1920) applies to the positions of Artificer, Foreman and Inspector within the Commonwealth Public Service. The Act amends the existing regulations to adjust the maximum salary for these positions from £306 per annum to £360 per annum, effective from 1 July 1919. This adjustment is made under the authority of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1918, thereby extending the application of the Act to the specified roles within the public service. The amendment does not introduce any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond those already established in the primary Act, nor does it extend or restrict the application through subordinate instruments beyond the specified salary adjustment. The jurisdictional reach of this amendment is confined to the Commonwealth level, affecting only those public service roles within the federal government of Australia.

Key Provisions

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Fourth Amendment, 1920) primarily focus on modifying the remuneration for certain positions within the Commonwealth Public Service. Specifically, Regulation 104, which pertains to Table B, has been amended to adjust the maximum salary for the roles of Artificer, Foreman, and Inspector. The amendment sets the maximum salary for these positions at £360 per annum, an increase from the previous rate of £306 per annum (s. 1). This change is effective from 1 July 1919, as stated in the legislation. Under the amended regulations, the obligations and requirements for the Commonwealth Public Service regarding the salary adjustments for Artificer, Foreman, and Inspector positions are clear and straightforward. The Commonwealth must ensure that the remuneration for these positions does not exceed the newly stipulated maximum rate of £360 per annum. This adjustment applies to all individuals holding these positions within the Commonwealth Public Service as of the commencement date of the regulation. The legislation does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or civil or criminal consequences for non-compliance with the salary adjustments. However, it is reasonable to infer that any breach of the specified maximum salary limit could lead to administrative or disciplinary action against the relevant officers or departments. Such actions might include financial penalties or other corrective measures to ensure compliance with the new salary provisions. While the exact penalties are not stated in the text, they would likely be determined by the relevant internal policies or other applicable regulations within the Commonwealth Public Service framework.