Commonwealth of Australia.
Department of Home Affairs,
Melbourne, 27th May, 1903.
AMENDMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE REGULATION 155, RESPECTING TRAVELLING ALLOWANCES TO CERTAIN OFFICERS.
IS Excellency the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, by and with the advice of the Executive Council thereof, has been pleased to approve that Regulation 155, made under the provisions of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, be amended to read as under :—
PART II. —ALLOWANCES TO CERTAIN OFFICERS.
155. The following shall be the scale for the undermentioned officers :—
Postmaster-General’s Department.
— | Rate under one week. | Rate if one week or over at same place. |
Relieving Postmasters and Postmistresses and other officers on regular Relieving Staff at country offices | 6s. daily . | 30s. a week. |
Officers relieving in suburbs away from home ... . | 1s. 6d. daily | 1s. 6d. daily. |
Letter-carriers relieving in suburbs, including those relieving in suburbs on deliveries which are made direct from G.P.O. ... . | 1s. daily ... . | 1s. daily. |
Railway mail guards and relieving railway sorters— | | |
For first eight hours or portion thereof while travelling on duty .... | 2s. | |
For each additional hour or portion thereof .... | 3d. | |
The Permanent Head, with the approval of the Commissioner, may reduce the foregoing allowances in cases where the circumstances appear to justify such a course.
WILLIAM JOHN LYNE,
Minister of State for Home Affairs.
Overview
The Commonwealth of Australia enacted the Commonwealth Public Service Act in 1902, establishing the framework for the public service and setting out regulations for various aspects of employment, including allowances for officers. In 1903, the Department of Home Affairs issued an amendment to Regulation 155 of the Public Service Act, specifically addressing travelling allowances for certain officers within the Postmaster-General’s Department and other related roles. The amendment aimed to clarify and adjust the rates of allowances for relieving postmasters, postmistresses, letter-carriers, railway mail guards, and relieving railway sorters, both for shorter and longer durations of travel. The policy objective was to ensure fair and adequate compensation for the duties performed by these officers while travelling on official business, reflecting the evolving operational needs of the postal and railway services within the Commonwealth.
Scope and Application
The Amendment of Public Service Regulation 155 applies to certain officers within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically those in the Postmaster-General's Department, including relieving postmasters and postmistresses, letter-carriers, and railway mail guards. This legislation establishes a scale of travelling allowances for these officers based on their duties and the duration of their travel. The amendment is part of the broader framework established by the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 and operates within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulation specifies distinct allowances for officers relieving in various locations, including country offices and suburbs, with a particular focus on officers who travel for their duties. Furthermore, the regulation provides the Permanent Head with the authority to adjust these allowances if circumstances warrant, subject to the approval of the Commissioner. This flexibility allows for adjustments in allowances in exceptional cases, ensuring that the regulation remains fair and practical.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Amendment of Public Service Regulation 155, Respecting Travelling Allowances to Certain Officers, focus on the establishment of specific allowances for various officers within the Postmaster-General's Department (s. 155). This regulation outlines the daily and weekly rates for relieving postmasters and postmistresses, officers relieving in suburbs away from home, letter-carriers, and railway mail guards and relieving railway sorters. For example, relieving postmasters and postmistresses are entitled to 6s daily if their relieving period is less than one week, and 30s per week if they remain at the same place for a week or more. Similarly, officers relieving in suburbs away from home and letter-carriers are entitled to 1s. 6d daily. The regulation also provides for additional compensation for railway mail guards and relieving railway sorters, with a base rate of 2s for the first eight hours of travel, and an additional 3d for each subsequent hour.
The obligations and requirements imposed by this regulation on the relevant parties primarily concern the accurate calculation and payment of allowances as specified. The Permanent Head of the department, with the approval of the Commissioner, has the authority to adjust these allowances if circumstances warrant a reduction. This flexibility allows for the regulation to remain responsive to changing conditions and needs within the department. Furthermore, the regulation ensures that the officers are fairly compensated based on the duties they perform and the conditions under which they work.
In terms of penalties and consequences for breaches, the regulation itself does not explicitly detail specific offences or penalties. However, any failure to comply with the established allowances could potentially result in legal repercussions under broader public service regulations and employment law. Such breaches could lead to civil or administrative actions, including potential penalties for non-compliance, depending on the specific circumstances and the laws in place at the time of the breach. The maximum penalties would be determined by the relevant laws and regulations governing public service employment and financial obligations at that time.