Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1950 No. 99, enacted on December 14, 1950, is a legislative instrument amending the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1948. This regulation was introduced to address the need for adjusting public service officers' salaries in line with changes in the cost of living, as indicated by the weighted average retail price index number for the six State capital cities of the Commonwealth. The Public Service Board, pursuant to the authority conferred upon it by the Commonwealth Public Service Act, and subject to the approval of the Governor-General, made these amendments. The policy objective was to ensure that public service officers' salaries reflected the actual economic conditions, thereby maintaining their purchasing power.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1950, as amended, apply to all officers employed under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1948. This encompasses a wide range of public service roles across various government departments and agencies operating throughout Australia. The regulations govern the terms and conditions of employment, including salary adjustments based on variations in the cost of living, as measured by the weighted average retail price index number for the six State capital cities. The regulations have a national reach, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. The primary exclusion from these regulations is officers under the age of twenty-one years, whose salary variations are subject to specific provisions to ensure equitable adjustments. The application of these regulations may be further extended or refined through subordinate instruments issued under the authority of the Commonwealth Public Service Act.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of this legislative instrument (C2004L01273) amend Regulation 106A of the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, specifically relating to salary variations based on changes in the cost of living. Regulation 106A has been amended to redefine 'index number' as the weighted average retail price index number for the six state capital cities, as shown in the 'Court' Index (Second Series) published by the Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration. Furthermore, it replaces the previous sub-regulations with new ones that specify salary variations based on the cost of living. These variations apply to adult male officers (£66 per annum), adult female officers (£69 per annum), officers aged between 19 and 21 years (£44 per annum), and those under 19 years (£33 per annum). This Act imposes obligations on the Public Service Board to ensure that salaries are adjusted in line with the stipulated cost-of-living index. It also places a responsibility on employers to implement these salary variations as per the regulation's provisions. The regulation ensures that officers under the age of twenty-one are also considered for salary variations if their age-specific salary rate is not prescribed, treating them as adults for this purpose. Non-compliance with the salary variation requirements can result in significant consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in this regulation, breaches of public service regulations generally lead to administrative actions, including possible disciplinary measures against the responsible officers. In extreme cases, this could extend to civil or criminal liability, depending on the nature and intent behind the breach. The precise penalties would typically be determined by the relevant authority within the public service framework, adhering to the overarching legislative intent and guidelines provided by the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1948.