Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations 1925, introduced as Statutory Rules 1925, No. 113, represents an amendment to the existing regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1924. Enacted by the Board of Commissioners and subsequently approved by the Governor-General, the regulation was intended to address the specific need for financial support for Commonwealth public service officers who are stationed in remote areas without resident medical practitioners and require medical attention for themselves or their families. This amendment provides for the reimbursement of travel expenses exceeding £3 for such medical needs, subject to certain conditions, including the requirement for a medical certificate verifying the necessity of the medical attention or visit. The policy objective of this amendment was to ensure that officers in isolated areas are supported in accessing necessary medical care.

Scope and Application

The 1925 amendment to the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, established under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1924, outlines provisions for the reimbursement of fares incurred by officers stationed in remote areas where no resident medical practitioner is available. Specifically, the amendment allows for reimbursement of transport costs exceeding £3 for officers, their spouses, or their children under sixteen years of age, when medical attention or a visit from a medical practitioner is necessary due to illness or accident. This reimbursement extends to the cost of accompanying an attendant if required. The Chief Officer has the authority to approve such reimbursements, contingent on the submission of a medical certificate that substantiates the necessity for the medical attention or visit. The amendment explicitly excludes officers stationed at lighthouses, who are subject to separate reimbursement conditions determined by the Board. This regulation applies to all officers of the Commonwealth Public Service stationed in localities without resident medical practitioners, thereby providing a financial safety net for those needing urgent medical care.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislative instrument (Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1924) introduce a new regulation (98a) that pertains to the reimbursement of transport costs for Commonwealth officers stationed in remote areas who require medical attention due to illness or accident. Specifically, if an officer, their spouse, or their children under sixteen are stationed in a location without a resident medical practitioner and need to travel for medical care, the Chief Officer may authorise reimbursement of transport costs exceeding £3 (subsection 98a(1)). If an attendant must accompany the sick or injured person, the cost of transport for the attendant is also reimbursable (subsection 98a(2)). A medical certificate verifying the necessity of the medical attention is required for any reimbursement claim, and the Chief Officer may refuse payment if the illness or injury was due to circumstances within the person’s own control (subsection 98a(3)). The definition of "cost of transport" includes only the annual fare for steamer, rail, motor, or other means of transport, inclusive of the return journey, or the mileage rate, also inclusive of the return journey, for obtaining the nearest medical aid, and excludes any other expenses incurred en route (subsection 98a(4)). This regulation does not apply to officers stationed at lighthouses, who are subject to separate conditions for reimbursement determined by the Board (subsection 98a(5)). This Act imposes specific obligations on the Chief Officer and the officers themselves. The Chief Officer is responsible for authorising reimbursement of transport costs exceeding £3 for officers or their families who need to travel for medical attention due to illness or accident when no resident medical practitioner is available at their station. This authorisation is contingent upon the submission of a medical certificate verifying the necessity of the medical attention and the absence of any circumstances indicating that the illness or injury was due to the person's own control. Officers and their families must ensure that they comply with these conditions when seeking reimbursement and must provide the necessary documentation, including a medical certificate, to support their claim. Failure to comply with the conditions for reimbursement can lead to civil consequences. If an officer or their family does not submit the required medical certificate or if the Chief Officer determines that the illness or injury was due to circumstances within the person’s own control, the Chief Officer may refuse the reimbursement claim. This refusal can result in the denial of financial assistance for the transport costs incurred for necessary medical attention. Additionally, officers stationed at lighthouses, who are subject to separate reimbursement conditions, must adhere to those specific terms as determined by the Board. Breach of these conditions could similarly result in the denial of reimbursement claims for those officers.