Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1943, No. 301, made under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1943, introduces a regulation regarding the partial reimbursement of fares for certain officers in the public service. Enacted by the Public Service Board and approved by the Governor-General, this regulation addresses the financial burden faced by unmarried officers stationed in Canberra who earn a salary of no more than £358 per annum and travel to their parents' or guardians' home during their recreation leave. The problem it seeks to resolve is the excessive cost of return fares for these officers, particularly when the fare exceeds ten pounds, and provides a policy objective to offer partial reimbursement to alleviate this financial strain.

Scope and Application

The regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1943 specifically addresses the partial reimbursement of fares for certain officers stationed in Canberra. This regulation applies to unmarried officers whose annual salary does not exceed £358 and who travel to their parents' or guardians' home while on recreation leave, provided that the cost of the return fare exceeds ten pounds. The regulation allows the Chief Officer to authorise reimbursement for the amount exceeding ten pounds, but this reimbursement is limited to once every two calendar years. This regulation is part of a broader set of Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, which have been amended multiple times over the years to update and refine the rules governing public service officers. The regulation's scope is limited to officers meeting the specified criteria, and its application is confined to instances where travel costs exceed a specified threshold.

Key Provisions

The main operative section of this legislative instrument is regulation 98aa (1) under the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations. This regulation allows for the partial reimbursement of fares for certain officers who meet specific criteria. Specifically, it applies to unmarried officers stationed in Canberra, who earn a salary of up to £358 per annum, and who travel to the home of their parents or guardians during recreation leave. If the cost of the return fare exceeds £10, the Chief Officer can authorise reimbursement of the excess amount over £10, subject to the condition in regulation 98aa (2). However, this reimbursement can only be granted once every two calendar years. The Act imposes certain obligations on the parties involved. For the officer, the primary requirement is to be unmarried and stationed in Canberra, with a salary not exceeding £358 per annum. The officer must also travel to their parents' or guardians' home during their recreation leave. For the Chief Officer, the obligation is to assess whether the officer's fare exceeds £10 and to decide whether to authorise reimbursement of the excess amount, adhering to the two-year limitation in regulation 98aa (2). Failure to comply with the provisions of this regulation could result in various consequences. The regulation does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance. However, any misuse of the reimbursement scheme, such as providing false information to obtain reimbursement, could potentially be considered a breach of the Public Service Act 1922-1943, which could lead to disciplinary action, including possible dismissal from service. The maximum penalties for such breaches are not specified in this particular regulation but would be determined by the Public Service Act.