STATUTORY RULES.
1923. No. 138
REGULATIONS UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC SERVICE ACT 1922 (THIRD AMENDMENT, 1923).
THE Board of Commissioners appointed under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922, in pursuance and exercise of the authority conferred upon it by the said Act, and subject to the approval of the Governor-General, hereby makes the following amendments of the Regulations, such amendments to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this twentieth day of September, 1923.
C. B. B. White Board of
W. J. Skewes Commissioners.
J. P. McGlinn
Approved in Executive Council the twenty-sixth day of September, 1923.
W. H. IRVINE,
Deputy of the Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
Ll. ATKINSON,
for Acting Prime Minister.
Amendment of Commonwealth Public Service Regulations.
Regulation 37 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following proviso:—
“Provided that this regulation shall not prevent the acceptance by an officer, with the permission in writing of the Chief Officer, of a public testimonial presented on retirement from the Public Service or upon removal from the locality in which he has been employed.”
Regulation 55 is amended by omitting from the last paragraph of sub-regulation (1) thereof the letter “(d)”, and inserting in its stead the letter “(e)”.
Regulation 70 is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (2) thereof the word “of”, and inserting in its stead the word “off”.
Regulation 106 is amended by omitting from the fifth column of Table “A” thereof, opposite the words “Telegraph Messenger”, the words:—
“Allowance at the rate of £8 per annum may be paid upon qualifying in telegraphy at the rate of twenty words a minute.”
and inserting in their stead the words:—
“Allowance at the rate of £8 per annum may be paid to officers receiving less than £132 upon qualifying in telegraphy at the rate of twenty words a minute.”
C.15252.—Price 3d.
Regulation 114 is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (4) thereof the words “the last preceding sub-regulation”, and inserting in their stead the words “sub-regulation (1) of this regulation.”
Regulation 165 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following proviso:—
“Provided that if the Board so determines, this regulation shall not apply to officers who have passed an examination notified before the making of this regulation.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1923, No. 138, is a legislative instrument enacted to make amendments to the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922. This legislative instrument was introduced to address administrative and procedural gaps within the existing regulations, thereby ensuring more efficient and equitable practices within the public service. The amendments were made by the Board of Commissioners, which was appointed under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922, and were subject to the approval of the Governor-General, ensuring that the changes were properly vetted and authorised by the relevant authority. The policy objective of these amendments was to refine and adjust specific regulations to better serve the needs of public service officers, ensuring they were clear, fair, and appropriately aligned with the broader objectives of the Commonwealth Public Service Act.
Scope and Application
The Regulations Under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922, amended by Statutory Rules 1923 No. 138, apply to officers within the Commonwealth Public Service. These amendments specifically modify the Regulations concerning the acceptance of public testimonials by retiring officers, the qualifications for allowances related to telegraphy, and other provisions concerning allowances and examinations. The geographic reach of these regulations is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, with amendments enforced throughout the federal public service. Notably, Regulation 37 now allows officers to accept public testimonials with written permission from the Chief Officer, and Regulation 106 revises the conditions for allowances based on telegraphy qualifications. These changes are subject to the overarching authority of the Board of Commissioners and the approval of the Governor-General, with the regulations coming into operation immediately upon approval.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of these Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922 (Third Amendment, 1923) primarily concern modifications to existing regulations regarding officer allowances, qualifications, and the acceptance of public testimonials. Specifically, Regulation 37 now allows officers to accept a public testimonial, subject to written permission from the Chief Officer, upon retirement or relocation. Regulation 55 has a minor textual amendment that adjusts a reference from "(d)" to "(e)". Regulation 70 modifies a word from "of" to "off", likely to correct an error or clarify a term. Regulation 106 alters the criteria for an allowance for telegraphy qualifications, now payable to officers earning less than £132, rather than an absolute allowance. Regulation 114 corrects a reference within the regulation itself. Lastly, Regulation 165 adds a proviso allowing the Board to exempt certain officers from this regulation if they have passed a specified examination prior to the regulation's creation.
These amendments impose specific obligations and requirements on officers within the Commonwealth Public Service. Officers must now seek written permission from the Chief Officer if they wish to accept a public testimonial. Additionally, the criteria for receiving certain allowances have been updated, with particular attention to qualifications in telegraphy now tied to salary thresholds. The Board's discretion is also enhanced in Regulation 165, allowing them to exempt certain officers from the regulation based on examination results.
In terms of penalties and consequences for breach, the Regulations themselves do not explicitly state any penalties. However, breaches of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922 or its regulations could potentially lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal from service, depending on the severity of the breach. The specific consequences would be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Act and any applicable rules or guidelines issued under it.