Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1913 (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Provisional Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1913, enacted in 1915, addresses the immediate need to establish salary grades and limits for specific public service positions within the Commonwealth. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Governor-General in Council to ensure efficient and structured remuneration for public service roles, specifically targeting the office of Labourer Foreman. The policy objective behind this regulation is to provide clarity and consistency in salary administration, ensuring that compensation aligns with the responsibilities and requirements of the position. By setting minimum and maximum salary limits and removing the provision for increments, the regulation aims to maintain financial discipline and fairness in the public sector pay structure.

Scope and Application

This statutory rule, designated as Statutory Rules 1915, No. 7, concerns provisional regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1913, which was enacted to regulate the public service of the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulation pertains specifically to the reclassification of the office of Labourer Foreman, altering its grading and salary structure. The regulation applies to the Commonwealth public service and directly affects the remuneration and conditions of the Labourer Foreman role within the public service framework. The regulation's reach is national, as it applies to the entire Commonwealth public service, which encompasses federal government employees across all states and territories in Australia. Notably, this regulation does not provide for salary increments within the specified limits and leaves the determination of salary to the Commissioner. The regulation was certified by the Governor-General on advice from the Federal Executive Council and came into immediate effect, reflecting the urgency of the amendments. The regulation was printed and published by the Government Printer for the State of Victoria, highlighting the federal nature of its implementation and dissemination.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of this Provisional Regulation, made under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1913, primarily focus on the amendment of the grade and salary details for the office of Labourer Foreman as specified in Table B of Regulation 104 (Section 104). This section dictates that the Labourer Foreman position is now graded at level IV, with a minimum salary set at £16 and a maximum salary at £192. Notably, this regulation states that no increments are provided for this position, and the salary will be determined by the Commissioner as necessary (Section 104). The obligations imposed by this Act on the relevant parties include adherence to the new salary grading and limits for the Labourer Foreman position. The Commissioner is tasked with the responsibility of determining the appropriate salary within the prescribed limits, ensuring that it remains within the minimum and maximum thresholds set forth in the regulation (Section 104). This mandates a clear understanding and implementation of the salary parameters by the Commissioner and any other relevant authorities. Regarding penalties and consequences for breaches, the regulation does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance. However, failure to adhere to the stipulated salary limits or the grading of the Labourer Foreman position could potentially lead to administrative or legal repercussions. The absence of detailed penalties in this regulation suggests that any breach might be subject to the broader disciplinary measures or corrective actions available under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1913 or other relevant legislative frameworks.