Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1942 No. 465, enacted under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1941, address the need for adjustments within the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations to reflect organisational changes within the government. The Public Service Board, exercising the authority conferred by the Act and with the approval of the Governor-General, made these amendments to ensure that the regulations align with the current structure and nomenclature of government departments. These regulations specifically correct references to the Department of Supply and Development to the Department of Supply and Shipping, thereby updating the roles and responsibilities of the Permanent Heads as Chief Officers. The policy objective, as indicated, is to maintain the accuracy and relevance of the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations in the face of evolving governmental structures.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, as amended by the Statutory Rules of 1942, apply to the officers and employees of the Commonwealth Public Service, including those within the Department of Supply and Shipping. These regulations outline the roles and responsibilities of the Permanent Heads of Departments and are pertinent to the administrative structure and operations of the Commonwealth's public service. The amendments specifically revise references to the Department of Supply and Development to reflect the new Department of Supply and Shipping, thereby ensuring the regulations remain current and applicable to the evolving structure of government departments. These regulations operate within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, extending their influence across all federal public service operations and personnel. Subordinate instruments may further refine or expand the application of these regulations, although the provided legislative instrument focuses on the specified amendments without indicating broader extensions or restrictions.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1941, as approved by the Governor-General, contain specific amendments to the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (sections 1 and 2). Regulation 71 of the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations is amended to replace the reference to "The Department of Supply and Development" with "The Department of Supply and Shipping" (section 1). Furthermore, Regulation 71a is amended to change the reference from "The Secretary, Department of Supply and Development" to "The Secretary, Department of Supply and Shipping" (section 2). These changes likely reflect a restructuring or renaming within the Commonwealth public service. The Regulations impose a clear requirement on the Public Service Board to make these amendments to the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, effectively updating the names of relevant departments and their heads. These changes must be made in accordance with the authority conferred by the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1941 and are subject to the approval of the Governor-General, which has been granted (sections 1 and 2). There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences for breach mentioned in these Regulations. However, the failure to adhere to the amendments as specified could potentially lead to administrative discrepancies or legal challenges regarding the governance and oversight of the affected departments. Given that these Regulations are statutory and have been approved by the Governor-General, any non-compliance might result in the need for further legislative action or administrative correction to ensure the public service operates smoothly and in line with legal requirements.