Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1947 No. 1, enacted on 31st December 1946 and approved on 8th January 1947, represents a regulatory amendment under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1946. This legislative instrument, issued by the Public Service Board and approved by the Governor-General, addresses the need to adjust the salaries of Commonwealth public service officers in response to changes in the cost of living. The regulation specifically modifies Regulation 106a of the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, setting a new index number for salary adjustments and adjusting the timing of these adjustments to commence from the first pay period in December 1946 instead of November 1946. This amendment aims to ensure that public service officers' salaries reflect contemporary economic conditions, thereby maintaining their purchasing power and ensuring fair remuneration in line with the cost of living.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1947, No. 1, made under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1946, outlines a regulation by the Public Service Board that was approved by the Governor-General and published in the Commonwealth Gazette on 9 January 1947. This regulation pertains to the Commonwealth Public Service and specifically amends Regulation 106a of the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations. The amendment modifies the index number for the six months ended 30 September 1946 to 99.7 and adjusts the salaries of officers accordingly, effective from the first pay period in December 1946 rather than November 1946. The regulation applies to officers within the Commonwealth Public Service, impacting their salary adjustments based on the cost of living index. The regulation's jurisdictional reach is limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, affecting federal public servants. It does not explicitly mention exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but its application is confined to the public service sector. The regulation is part of a series of amendments to the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, indicating an ongoing process of adjustment and refinement of public service conditions and salaries. The regulation does not extend its application through subordinate instruments but rather operates within the scope defined by the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1946.

Key Provisions

The main operative section of this legislation (Regulation 106a) pertains to the variation of salaries based on changes in the cost of living. It specifies that the index number for the six months ending 30 September 1946 is deemed to be 99.7. Furthermore, it mandates that the salaries of officers should be adjusted accordingly, effective from the commencement of the first pay period in December 1946 rather than November 1946. This amendment is a direct modification to the existing Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Regulation 106a) and is intended to reflect the changes in the cost of living. This legislation imposes specific obligations on the parties it governs. Primarily, it requires the Public Service Board to adjust the salaries of officers in accordance with the specified index number. This adjustment must be made from the first pay period in December 1946. The Board, acting under the authority conferred by the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1946, is responsible for ensuring that the stipulated changes are implemented correctly and timely. The regulation also requires the approval of the Governor-General, which is given effect through the approval process outlined in the legislation. In terms of penalties and consequences for breach, the legislation does not explicitly state any specific offences or penalties for non-compliance. However, failure to adhere to the mandated salary adjustments could potentially lead to legal consequences under the broader framework of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1946. Such consequences might include disciplinary actions against the Public Service Board or other relevant entities for not fulfilling their statutory obligations. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in this particular regulation, they would be governed by the overarching act and any associated regulations or administrative guidelines.