Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1915, No. 205, made under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1915, was introduced to address the need for updated regulations governing the assurance policies for public servants. This legislation was enacted by the Governor-General, acting on advice from the Federal Executive Council, to supersede the Provisional Regulation (Statutory Rules 1915, No. 133) made on August 4, 1915. The regulation specifically amends the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, replacing Regulation 172 with new provisions that establish a scale for the amount of assurance to be paid to public servants or their representatives upon reaching the age of 60 or in the event of death before reaching that age, with certain flexibility for the Commissioner to permit payments at age 65 under special circumstances. The policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that public servants have a reliable assurance scheme that reflects their maximum salary upon reaching specified ages.

Scope and Application

This statutory rule, made under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1915, pertains to the amendment of the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, specifically addressing the provision of assurance policies for Commonwealth public servants. It applies to individuals who are Commonwealth public servants, specifically those who are not already covered by an assurance policy. The regulation outlines a specific scale for the amount of assurance that should be provided, depending on the maximum salary of the class or position to which the officer is appointed or promoted, with a range of payments stipulated from £150 to £600. It also allows for flexibility in certain circumstances where an assurance payable at age 65 may be permitted by the Commissioner. This regulation effectively supersedes a previous provisional regulation and is intended to provide clear guidelines on the assurance policies for Commonwealth public servants, ensuring they have adequate coverage based on their salary bracket. The regulation is geographically applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is a federal instrument.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of this Regulation (Statutory Rules 1915, No. 205) under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1915 amend the existing Regulation 172 concerning the life assurance policies for public servants. Regulation 172 has been repealed and replaced with a new provision (Regulation 172). This new regulation specifies that life assurance policies taken out by individuals not previously insured must provide a payout based on a defined scale, contingent on the individual’s age at the time of payout or death. If the individual reaches the age of 60, the payout is made at that point. If the individual passes away before reaching 60, the payout is made to their personal representatives within three months of the date of death. However, in exceptional cases, the Commissioner may allow an officer to secure a policy with a payout at age 65 instead. The new Regulation 172 imposes specific requirements on public servants regarding their life assurance policies. Each public servant who is not already covered by an assurance policy must ensure that the policy they take out adheres to the prescribed payout scale based on their salary bracket. This scale dictates the amount payable at age 60 or to their beneficiaries if they die before reaching that age. The Commissioner has the discretion to permit an assurance payable at 65 years of age in special circumstances, but this is not the norm. This ensures that all public servants have adequate life assurance coverage, tailored to their respective salary levels. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Regulation could potentially lead to various consequences. Although the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in this Regulation, it is reasonable to infer that breaches of public service regulations typically result in disciplinary action. This could include formal reprimands, fines, or even termination of employment, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach. Additionally, if the non-compliance pertains to financial matters, such as the specified payout amounts, it could also result in financial penalties or restitution requirements. The exact penalties would be determined in accordance with the broader public service laws and regulations.