Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Sixteenth Amendment 1920) Statutory Rules, enacted on 8 September 1920, amend existing regulations to address specific operational needs within the Commonwealth Public Service. This amendment was made under the authority of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1918, reflecting the intent to enhance the functionality and flexibility of public service roles. The regulation specifically targets the allowance for officers who undertake additional duties, such as sleeping on official premises and performing night telephone duties within the Postmaster-General's Department. The policy objective behind this amendment is to ensure that public service officers are adequately compensated for their additional responsibilities, thus maintaining operational efficiency and morale within the service. The enacting body for these regulations is the Federal Executive Council, acting with the advice of the Deputy of the Governor-General.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Sixteenth Amendment 1920) pertain to the Commonwealth public service, specifically addressing the allowance for officers within the Postmaster-General’s Department. These regulations apply to officers who are required to sleep on official premises and perform night telephone duties, extending an allowance not exceeding ten shillings per week, subject to approval by the Chief Officer. The amendment modifies the existing regulations by adding the position of Caretaker to the list of eligible officers and alters the allowance structure. The changes are applicable nationally, reflecting the Commonwealth’s jurisdiction over public service matters. These regulations do not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but the allowance is contingent upon specific conditions being met. The application of the regulations may be further defined or extended through subordinate instruments under the authority of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1918.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Statutory Rules document (1920 No. 153) concern amendments to the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, specifically Regulation 163b. Regulation 163b is amended to include an allowance for officers who sleep on official premises and perform night telephone duties. Specifically, sub-regulation (1) is expanded to include "any officer occupying the position of Caretaker," while sub-regulation (2) replaces the previous allowance structure with a new provision that an allowance not exceeding ten shillings (10s) per week may be granted, subject to the Chief Officer's approval, to any officer of the Postmaster-General’s Department who undertakes these additional duties (Reg. 163b(1), (2)). Under these regulations, the obligations and requirements imposed on the relevant parties are primarily administrative. The Postmaster-General’s Department must ensure that any officer who sleeps on official premises and performs night telephone duties is eligible for the specified allowance. This process involves a formal application to the Chief Officer for approval of the allowance, which must not exceed ten shillings per week. The department is also responsible for maintaining records of such allowances granted, ensuring transparency and accountability in the administration of these payments. The document does not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach within its text. However, given the regulatory nature of the amendments, any failure to comply with the stipulated allowance process could potentially lead to administrative penalties. These may include the recovery of improperly granted allowances or disciplinary action against officers or department heads who fail to adhere to the prescribed procedures. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the statutory rules, breaches of public service regulations typically fall under the jurisdiction of the relevant department and the Public Service Commissioner, who may impose appropriate administrative sanctions.