Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1905 No. 68, under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, was introduced to amend the existing public service regulations, particularly concerning allowances for certain officers. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, this legislative instrument was designed to provide updated and specific guidelines for allowances for officers such as relieving postmasters, postmistresses, letter carriers, and railway mail guards. The regulation seeks to ensure that these allowances are fair and reflect the duties of the officers involved, while also providing flexibility for the Permanent Head to adjust these allowances based on specific circumstances. This regulation aimed to address gaps and inconsistencies in the previous allowances structure, thereby contributing to a more organised and equitable public service system.

Scope and Application

This statutory rule, issued under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, establishes regulations concerning allowances for certain officers within the Commonwealth public service. Specifically, it outlines the revised scale of allowances for relieving postmasters, postmistresses, officers on regular relieving staff, letter carriers, railway mail guards, and relieving railway sorters, detailing their remuneration based on their duties and location. This legislation applies to officers within the specified categories within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that they receive appropriate compensation for their roles. The regulation also provides for the possibility of the Permanent Head, with the Commissioner's approval, to adjust these allowances in justified circumstances. The repeal of previous regulations indicates a direct update to the existing framework, aiming to standardise and clarify the allowances provided to these public service employees.

Key Provisions

The statutory rules outlined in the document primarily deal with allowances for certain officers within the Public Service, as specified under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902. Specifically, Regulation 155, which is substituted in lieu of the previous regulation (Regulation 155 of the Public Service Regulations, Gazetted on 19th December 1903), provides a detailed scale for allowances for various officers within the Postmaster-General's Department (section 1). This includes allowances for Relieving Postmasters and Postmistresses, officers relieving in suburbs, letter carriers, Railway Mail Guards, and Relieving Railway Sorters. The Permanent Head, with the approval of the Commissioner, is empowered to reduce these allowances if circumstances warrant it (section 1). Additionally, the Provisional Regulation under the same Act, which was notified in the Gazette on 1st July 1905, is repealed (section 2). These regulations impose specific obligations on officers within the Postmaster-General's Department, particularly concerning the allowances they are entitled to receive. For instance, Relieving Postmasters and Postmistresses and other officers on regular Relieving Staff at country offices are entitled to 6 shillings daily if their service is less than one week at the same place, and 30 shillings a week if they have served one week or more at the same place. Similarly, officers relieving in suburbs away from home are entitled to 1 shilling and 6 pence daily, regardless of the duration of their service. Letter carriers relieving in suburbs are entitled to 1 shilling daily, and so forth. These allowances are subject to reduction by the Permanent Head, with the Commissioner's approval, if deemed necessary. The regulations also necessitate the repeal of the Provisional Regulation under the said Act, which was notified on 1st July 1905. Failure to comply with these regulations could lead to various consequences, though specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences are not detailed within the statutory rules themselves. The document, however, is a legislative instrument under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, which means any breaches of the regulations could potentially be addressed under the broader provisions of that Act. The maximum penalties for breaches would then be determined in accordance with the relevant sections of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, which might include fines or other penalties as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities.