Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1934 No. 83, enacted under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1933, are regulations designed to amend existing Commonwealth Public Service Regulations. These amendments, approved by the Governor-General and executed by the Board of Commissioners, address various administrative and financial adjustments across different government departments. The primary purpose of these regulations is to update salary scales, modify positions, and adjust the conditions of service for various public service roles, reflecting changes in departmental needs and operational requirements. The enactment of these regulations by the Board of Commissioners, subject to the approval of the Governor-General, ensures that the public service remains effectively managed and responsive to the evolving needs of the Commonwealth.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1934, No. 83, issued under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1933, pertain to the regulation and administration of the Commonwealth public service within Australia. These regulations apply to various positions and offices within the Commonwealth public service, including the amendment of salary details and the conditions of advancement for certain officers. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, as they govern the public service across the entirety of Australia. Certain exclusions may apply, particularly if the roles are not directly within the Commonwealth public service or if they fall under a different regulatory framework. The application of these regulations can be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which may include additional amendments or specific provisions related to particular departments or offices within the public service.

Key Provisions

These regulations, made under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1933, detail amendments to the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Statutory Rules 1926, No. 212). The most significant changes include adjustments to salary scales and positions within various departments. For instance, the salaries for Assistant Secretaries in the External Affairs department are updated to a minimum of £780 and a maximum of £5226 (Regulation 104(a)). Additionally, the table detailing the salaries for various positions is amended to reflect new figures for the Chief Inspector (Wireless), Senior Medical Officers, and other roles (Regulation 104(b), (c), (d), (e)). The regulations also establish specific conditions for the advancement of certain officers, particularly those in the Radio Inspector Assistant role. These officers cannot be advanced beyond £330 per annum unless they possess a second class commercial operator’s certificate of proficiency, and they cannot be advanced beyond £354 per annum unless they have a first class commercial operator’s certificate of proficiency (Regulation 105a). The number of positions for certain roles, such as Clerks in the Meteorological Branch, is also adjusted (Regulation 105b). Further amendments include the introduction of new roles, such as the Electrician in the Treasury Printing department, and the removal of some existing positions, such as the Assistant (Female) (Records) in the External Affairs department (Regulation 106(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g)). These changes are aimed at streamlining and updating the salary scales and positions within the public service. Breach of these regulations could potentially lead to administrative penalties, as the regulations are designed to ensure orderly and efficient operation within the public service. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the text of the legislation, but would likely be addressed under the broader public service laws and administrative procedures.