Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Fourteenth Amendment) 1918, Statutory Rules 1918, No. 266, was enacted to address the issue of recognising the service of Commonwealth Public Service officers who had served in the Expeditionary Forces during the First World War. The regulation was issued under the authority of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1917 by the Governor-General in Council, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. This amendment aimed to ensure that officers who had a satisfactory record in the Expeditionary Forces could be transferred back into the Commonwealth Public Service and be compensated appropriately according to the rank and position they held prior to their military service. This legislative instrument reflects a policy objective to honour and integrate the service of public servants who participated in the war effort, acknowledging their contributions and facilitating their return to civilian roles within the public sector.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Fourteenth Amendment 1918) pertains to the Commonwealth Public Service as regulated under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1917. This legislative instrument specifically targets officers who have served with a satisfactory record in any Expeditionary Force raised under the Defence Act 1903-1918. Upon transfer, these officers may be entitled to the salary of a specific subdivision, as determined by the Commissioner. This amendment extends to the entirety of the Commonwealth of Australia, affecting personnel within the public service across federal jurisdictions. The scope of the amendment is to integrate returning service personnel into the public service with appropriate remuneration reflective of their previous service. No explicit exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are mentioned in the text, and the application of the regulation is direct and comprehensive within the federal public service structure. The regulation is a direct addition to existing statutory rules and does not extend its application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The main operative section of the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Fourteenth Amendment 1918) is Regulation 142, which has been amended to include a provision regarding the payment of salaries for officers who have served with a satisfactory record in any Expeditionary Force established under the Defence Act 1903-1918 (Reg. 142). This amendment allows for the transfer of such officers to be paid the salary of a specified subdivision as determined by the Commissioner. These provisions impose certain obligations on the parties involved, particularly the Commissioner. The Commissioner is now required to determine the appropriate salary subdivision for officers transferring from an Expeditionary Force with a satisfactory service record. This process ensures that these officers are compensated appropriately upon their transfer to the Commonwealth Public Service, taking into account their prior service and performance. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined in this specific regulation for breaches of its provisions. The regulation primarily focuses on the administrative process of determining and paying the appropriate salary for eligible officers. However, failure to adhere to the procedural requirements set out in the amended Regulation 142 could potentially lead to administrative issues or disputes regarding the correct application of the salary determination process. The regulation is designed to support and reward officers who have demonstrated satisfactory service in the Expeditionary Forces, ensuring they receive fair compensation upon their transfer to the Commonwealth Public Service. The amendment reflects an effort to integrate and recognise the contributions of these officers within the public service framework. Overall, the amendment to Regulation 142 is intended to facilitate the smooth transition of qualified officers into the Commonwealth Public Service, providing them with the appropriate remuneration for their service.