Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1913 (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1915, No. 38, Provisional Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1913, was enacted by the Governor-General in Council on 18 March 1915. The urgency of the regulation was due to the need to make immediate changes to the Commonwealth Public Service Act in response to evolving needs of the public service during a time of national significance. This Provisional Regulation, which came into effect immediately, sought to address an identified gap in the operational hours of public service departments by amending the schedule to adjust the closing time from half-past 4 in the afternoon to 12 o’clock noon. This change was intended to streamline and possibly enhance efficiency within the public service, reflecting the policy objective of adapting to the changing demands of the time. The regulation was certified by the Governor-General on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, underscoring its importance and the necessity for prompt implementation.

Scope and Application

This Provisional Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1913 applies to the public servants within the Commonwealth's jurisdiction. It amends the schedule of Regulation 256 by changing the official end-of-day closing time for public service offices from "half-past 4 o’clock in the afternoon" to "12 o’clock noon." This change affects the operational hours of public service entities across the Commonwealth of Australia and is intended to take effect immediately due to the urgency cited by the Governor-General and Federal Executive Council. While the Regulation itself is specific to the alteration of office hours, it does not exclude any particular public service roles or entities from its scope. The regulation is part of the broader legislative framework governing the Commonwealth public service, and its immediate effect underscores the need for swift adjustments to administrative practices. The regulation does not specify any exemptions or thresholds, applying uniformly to all Commonwealth public service offices as outlined in the amended schedule.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Provisional Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1913 (section 256) primarily focus on adjusting the timing for the cessation of public service work. Specifically, it alters the end time of the workday for public servants from "half-past 4 o’clock in the afternoon" to "12 o’clock noon" (section 1). This change is effective immediately as a Provisional Regulation and is designed to address urgent operational needs. The Act imposes certain obligations on public servants and the government to adhere to the new working hours. Public servants are expected to conclude their work by 12 o’clock noon as per the amendment, ensuring that they do not continue their duties beyond this new specified time. The government, on the other hand, must ensure that these new working hours are communicated effectively and implemented across all relevant departments to maintain operational efficiency. Breaching the provisions of this Provisional Regulation could lead to various consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, under the Commonwealth Public Service Act, breaches of work regulations can typically result in disciplinary actions. These may include formal warnings, reprimands, or in severe cases, termination of employment. Additionally, the government might face administrative or legal repercussions for failing to enforce the new working hours properly, potentially leading to inquiries or audits to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements.