Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1913 (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Provisional Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1913, enacted in 1915, was introduced to address the pressing need to provide employment opportunities for sailors and soldiers returning from overseas service during the First World War. This regulation was issued under the authority of the Federal Executive Council and signed by the Deputy of the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sir Arthur Stanley. The policy objective of this regulation was to give preference in temporary employment to those who had served with distinction in the Naval or Military Forces of the Commonwealth, thereby aiding the reintegration of service personnel into civilian life and supporting their transition post-service. This regulation underscored the government’s commitment to recognising and rewarding the sacrifices made by these individuals during the war.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1913, as amended by Statutory Rules 1915/127, pertains specifically to the temporary employment preferences within the Commonwealth Public Service. This regulation applies to sailors and soldiers who have served abroad with a satisfactory record in the Naval or Military Forces of the Commonwealth. The amendment to Regulation 121 mandates that such individuals be given preference for temporary employment opportunities within the public service. The regulation extends its reach across the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting the employment practices within federal public service sectors. Notably, this regulation does not specify exclusions or exemptions, implying that all temporary positions should consider these preferences unless otherwise stipulated by law. The regulation's scope is limited to the specific amendment of Regulation 121 and does not extend to other areas of public service employment without further legislative action.

Key Provisions

The main operative section of this Provisional Regulation is the amendment to Regulation 121 of the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, as detailed in Statutory Rules 1913/341 and amended by Statutory Rules 1915/127. This amendment introduces a new sub-regulation (1c) that requires preference for temporary employment to be given to sailors and soldiers who have served abroad with a satisfactory record in the Naval or Military Forces of the Commonwealth. This provision is intended to ensure that returning service members are prioritised for temporary positions within the public service. This amendment imposes specific obligations on public service employers to consider and prefer eligible sailors and soldiers for temporary employment opportunities. The regulation aims to support the reintegration of service members into civilian employment by giving them precedence over other candidates for temporary positions. Public service departments must take into account the satisfactory service records of applicants when making employment decisions, ensuring that returning service members are not disadvantaged in the job market. Breach of this regulation could result in legal consequences, although the specific nature of these consequences is not detailed in the text. Given the nature of the regulation, non-compliance could be considered an administrative offence, potentially leading to disciplinary actions against the employing department or individual officers. The maximum penalties for such breaches are not specified in the text, but they would typically be determined by the relevant laws governing public service administration and employment practices. These penalties could include fines or other administrative sanctions.