Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Twelfth Amendment) 1920 was enacted by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, under the authority of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1918. This legislative instrument sought to address a specific administrative need within the public service by amending an existing regulation. The particular amendment involved changing a holiday designation in Melbourne from "Eight Hours Day" to "Wednesday, 26th May (Prince of Wales’ visit)", reflecting a change in the significance or scheduling of public holidays. This amendment was introduced to ensure the public service regulations remained current and relevant to the socio-political events of the time, specifically acknowledging the visit of the Prince of Wales. The policy objective, while not explicitly stated in the text, can be inferred to be the alignment of public service schedules with significant national events, thereby maintaining operational efficiency and relevance within the public sector.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Twelfth Amendment) 1920, made under the authority of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1918, serves to modify the regulations governing holidays for the Commonwealth Public Service. This legislative instrument applies to all public servants within the Commonwealth public service, encompassing various departments and agencies. The amendment specifically alters the list of public holidays applicable to Melbourne by replacing the "Eight Hours Day" with a holiday commemorating the visit of the Prince of Wales on Wednesday, 26th May. The geographic reach of this regulation is confined to Melbourne, reflecting the particular significance of the Prince of Wales' visit to that city. The amendment does not extend to other states or territories, nor does it introduce any stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond its specified alteration of holiday observance. The regulation comes into immediate effect, as indicated by its designation to operate forthwith, with no further extensions or restrictions noted within the text of the instrument itself.

Key Provisions

The twelfth amendment to the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, brought into effect by Statutory Rules 1920, No. 84, primarily modifies Regulation 91 (paragraph 1). This amendment removes the public holiday known as "Eight Hours Day" for Melbourne and replaces it with a specific holiday for "Wednesday, 26th May (Prince of Wales’ visit)" (paragraph 2). The new holiday appears to be a one-off addition to the list of prescribed holidays, likely commemorating the visit of the Prince of Wales to Melbourne on that date. The amendment imposes specific obligations on public service employees and agencies under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1918 (paragraph 3). Employees in Melbourne who would have otherwise observed the "Eight Hours Day" holiday must now adjust their schedules to account for the new holiday on 26th May. Agencies must ensure that public service operations are organised to accommodate this change, which may include reassigning duties and ensuring adequate staffing on the new holiday. In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Statutory Rules do not explicitly outline penalties for failing to adhere to the amended holiday provisions (paragraph 4). However, under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1918, non-compliance with regulations governing public holidays could potentially lead to disciplinary actions against employees, including warnings, fines, or more severe penalties for repeated infractions (paragraph 5). The precise penalties would depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance and would be determined by relevant authorities within the public service framework.