Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Seventeenth Amendment) 1920 was enacted by the Governor-General in Council to amend the existing regulations governing allowances for public service officers. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for updated scales of allowances for travel and subsistence, reflecting the changing economic environment and the requirements of public service officers in the early 20th century. The policy objective behind these amendments was to ensure that public servants received fair and adequate compensation for their travel expenses while performing their duties. The regulation was made under the authority of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1918, and came into effect on 1 October 1920.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Seventeenth Amendment, 1920) applies to officers within the Commonwealth Public Service as defined under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1918. These regulations primarily concern the adjustment of travelling allowances for public service officers, encompassing various salary brackets and circumstances of travel. The scope of the Act impacts individuals working within the Commonwealth public service, including officers who are members of Boards of Inquiry and Appeal or those employed on relieving duties. The amendment does not explicitly state geographic limitations, implying a national application throughout Australia. The amendment does not specify exclusions or exemptions, meaning it broadly applies to all officers within the specified salary brackets unless otherwise dictated by subordinate instruments. The regulation may be further refined or expanded through subordinate instruments, which could provide additional specifications or clarifications regarding the allowances and their application.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Seventeenth Amendment, 1920) primarily revolve around adjustments to the scale of travelling allowances for public servants. Regulation 149 has been notably amended in several ways. Firstly, the document introduces a new scale of daily and weekly travelling allowances based on the salary of the public servant, as detailed in the amended section (1a). These allowances decrease progressively from a salary of £751 and over, down to under £310. For instance, for those earning £751 and above, the daily allowance is set at 20 shillings, with a weekly allowance of 18 shillings, while those earning under £310 receive a daily allowance of 10 shillings and a weekly allowance of 9 shillings. Secondly, the regulation specifies a minimum travelling allowance of 13 shillings per day for officers acting as members of Boards of Inquiry and Appeal (1b). Furthermore, for officers regularly employed on relieving duties, the regulation establishes a new scale of weekly allowances based on salary (1d). Officers earning £310 and over receive £250 per week, while those earning under £310 receive £1150 per week. If an officer’s residence at the temporary station is less than one week, the daily rate prescribed in the first part of this regulation applies. The obligations imposed by these regulations on public servants and the Commonwealth include adhering to the new scales of travelling allowances specified. Public servants must ensure they claim the correct allowance based on their salary and the duration of their residence in a particular location. For those on relieving duties, adherence to the new weekly allowance rates is mandatory. The Commonwealth, on the other hand, is obligated to disburse the correct amount of allowance as per the new scales and to verify the eligibility and accuracy of the claims made by public servants. Breaching these regulations could result in both civil and criminal consequences. For instance, if a public servant knowingly makes false claims for travelling allowances, they could face disciplinary action, which might include fines or other penalties as deemed appropriate by the relevant authority. Additionally, if the breach is severe enough, it could potentially lead to criminal charges, such as fraud, which carries more severe penalties including imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, but they are intended to ensure compliance with the regulations and the proper use of public funds.