Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1933, No. 126, titled "Regulations Under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1932," was enacted to amend the existing Commonwealth Public Service Regulations. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for adjustments in the salary rates for various positions within the Commonwealth Public Service. The regulations were made by the Board of Commissioners appointed under the Commonwealth Public Service Act and were subject to the approval of the Governor-General. The policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that the salaries of public service officers are set according to the prevailing conditions and responsibilities of their respective roles, thereby maintaining fairness and efficiency within the public sector.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1933, No. 126, provide detailed guidelines for the remuneration of various positions within the Commonwealth Public Service. These regulations apply to adult officers, including messengers, junior assistants, launch boys, telephonists, and telegraph messengers, specifying distinct salary rates for unmarried and married officers, with the latter category including those maintaining a home, as deemed appropriate by the Board of Commissioners. The regulations are applicable nationwide within the Commonwealth jurisdiction, ensuring uniform application across all federal public service roles. The stated amendments, particularly the replacement of Regulation 106b, are effective from 12th October 1933, following the approval by the Governor-General. This legislative instrument operates under the overarching framework of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1932, with any further extensions or restrictions on application being detailed in subordinate instruments, subject to the Board's authority and the Governor-General's approval.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these regulations, specifically section 1, pertain to the amendment of the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, particularly concerning the salaries payable to adult officers. Section 1(1) repeals Regulation 106b and inserts a new regulation outlining the salaries for various offices such as Messenger, Junior Assistant, Launch Boy, and Telephonist (Male), with different rates for unmarried and married officers. Section 1(2) defines a married officer for the purposes of this regulation, including any adult officer maintaining a home under conditions deemed appropriate by the Board. These regulations impose obligations on the Board of Commissioners to ensure that salaries are paid in accordance with the newly established rates for adult officers, as specified in the amended Regulation 106b. The Board must also determine the marital status of officers based on the criteria provided, which involves assessing whether an officer is maintaining a home under circumstances that warrant their classification as married. Failure to comply with these regulations could potentially lead to civil or administrative consequences, although specific penalties are not explicitly stated in the text. Non-compliance might result in disputes over salary payments, requiring resolution through the appropriate administrative or judicial channels. The penalties for such breaches would typically depend on the outcome of any resulting legal proceedings and would be determined by a relevant authority, such as the Commonwealth Public Service Tribunal. The regulations come into effect on 12 October 1933, as stated in section 1(2). This date signifies when the new salary rates and definitions for married officers officially apply, requiring all relevant parties to adhere to these changes. Any salaries paid before this date would be subject to the previous regulations, while payments from this date onwards must align with the newly amended provisions.