Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1926, No. 75, pertains to the twenty-fourth amendment to the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1924. Enacted to address operational needs within the public service, this legislative instrument was introduced to amend existing regulations concerning the appointment of officers and the allowances granted to them in various telegraph stations across different states. The amendment was made by the Board of Commissioners, authorised under the Commonwealth Public Service Act, and was subject to the approval of the Governor-General. The primary aim, as outlined in the document, is to facilitate the regular exchange of duties among officers in specific telegraph stations, ensuring efficient operational coverage and to provide necessary allowances for competency in the absence of the officer-in-charge. This legislative amendment came into effect on 1 July 1924, as approved in the Executive Council on 9 June 1926.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1924, as amended, apply to officers within the Commonwealth Public Service, specifically those who are designated to work at particular stations as outlined in the new regulations. These amendments cater to officers who are tasked with regular duty exchanges with Senior Telegraphists, as well as those who may require additional allowances based on their salary and competency in handling repeaters. The geographic reach of these amendments is confined to specific stations in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia. The allowances and conditions for duty exchanges are specified for each location, with the Chief Officer having the authority to approve and implement these provisions. The regulation also stipulates that the Chief Officer must keep the Board informed of any allowances granted under this amendment. The new regulation extends the application of the existing framework by introducing additional allowances and conditions for officers at certain stations, subject to the approval of the Chief Officer and the Board.

Key Provisions

The regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1924 introduce specific provisions regarding the appointment and compensation of officers at certain stations (Regulation 105c). Firstly, the Chief Officer is authorised to appoint an officer to exchange duties with the Senior Telegraphist at specific stations, such as Wagga Wagga and Albury in New South Wales, and Hobart in Tasmania. This exchange can occur either every three days or every three weeks, depending on local conditions. The appointed officer can receive an allowance to increase their salary to a specified amount, such as £348 per annum at Wagga Wagga and Albury, or £360 per annum at Rockhampton and Launceston. Secondly, at other designated stations like Mount Surprise in Queensland and Alice Springs in South Australia, if the officer next to the Telegraphist-in-charge earns less than £312 per annum, the Chief Officer may grant an allowance of £12 per annum if the officer demonstrates competency to handle repeaters in the absence of the officer-in-charge. These regulations impose several obligations on the Chief Officers and other relevant authorities. The Chief Officers must ensure that officers are appointed and allowances granted in accordance with the specific conditions outlined in Regulation 105c. They are required to provide evidence of competency for officers seeking additional allowances and must keep the Board informed of any allowances granted under these regulations. This includes maintaining records and submitting reports as needed to the Board to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements. Breaches of these regulations could lead to various consequences, although specific offences, penalties, or consequences are not detailed within the text. Typically, non-compliance with statutory regulations might result in administrative actions, such as the withholding of allowances or other disciplinary measures. However, the precise civil or criminal consequences would depend on broader legislative provisions and administrative guidelines outside the scope of these specific regulations. The allowances and appointments made under Regulation 105c are subject to the Chief Officer's discretion and the Board's oversight, ensuring adherence to the stipulated conditions and proper application of the allowances.