STATUTORY RULES.
1906. No. 2.
PROVISIONAL REGULATION UNDER THE “COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC SERVICE ACT 1902.”
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that, on account of urgency, the following Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, relating to the grading of the General Division should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a Provisional Regulation.
Dated this 29th day of December, One thousand nine hundred and five.
NORTHCOTE,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
LITTLETON ERNEST GROOM,
Minister of State for Home Affairs.
Grading of General Division.
Regulation 104 under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 (Statutory Rules 1904, No. 53), as amended by Statutory Rules, 1905, No. 8 and No. 46, is, further amended by omitting from the Schedule under the corresponding heads and in the corresponding columns the following:—
Department and Office. | Minimum yearly Rate of Pay. | Scale of Additions. | Maximum yearly Rate of Pay. | Remarks. |
Amount. | At Intervals of not less than— | Number. |
| £ | | | | £ | |
All Departments. | | | | | | |
Engine-driver Foreman | 172* | .. | .. | .. | 180 | |
Messenger, Grade I. | 42 | 1st year, £8 2nd „ £10 3rd „ £12 4th „ £12 | One year | 4 | 84 | |
Plumber and Gas-fitter | 132* | .. | .. | .. | 162 | |
Postmaster-General. | | | | | | |
Foreman, Mail Branch | 144 | £6 | One year | 2 | 156 | |
Telephone Attendant | 30 | 1st year, £6 2nd „ £12 3rd „ £12 4th „ £12 5th „ £12 | .. | 5 | 84 | |
* No additions to pay are provided for in these cases. Salaries between the minimum and maximum shown will be fixed by the Commissioner from time to time in accordance with the work performed.
C.12050.—Price 3d.
and by inserting in the said Schedule under the corresponding heads and in the corresponding columns, the following:—
Department and Office. | Minimum yearly Rate of Pay. | Scale of Additions. | Maximum yearly Rate of Pay. | Remarks. |
Amount. | At Intervals of not less than— | Number. |
| £ | | | | £ | |
All Departments. | | | | | | |
Engine-driver, Foreman | 172* | .. | .. | .. | 204 | |
Messenger, Grade I. | 52 | 1st year, £8 | One year | 3 | 84 | |
| | 2nd „ £12 | | | | |
| | 3rd „ £12 | | | | |
Plumber and Gas-fitter | 132* | .. | .. | .. | 174 | |
Postmaster-General. | | | | | | |
Foreman, Mail Branch | 138 | £6 | One year | 2 | 150 | |
Ship Mailman....... | 138 | £6 | One year | 2 | 150 | |
Telephone Attendant | 30 | 1st year, £6 | .. | 5 | 84 | |
| 2nd „ £16 | | | | |
| 3rd „ £8 | | | | |
| 4th „ £12 | | | | |
| 5th „ £12 | | | | |
* No additions to pay are provided for in these cases. Salaries between the minimum and maximum shown will be fixed by the Commissioner from time to time in accordance with the work performed.
As regards the offices of Engine-driver, Foreman, Plumber, and Gas-fitter, Foreman Mail Branch, and Ship Mailman, the amendments made by this Regulation shall be deemed to have been in force since the 1st day of July, 1904.
By Authority: Robt. S. Brain, Government Printer, Melbourne.
Overview
The Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to establish a public service framework that would provide efficient and accountable governance. The Act was introduced to address the need for a structured and systematic approach to the administration and management of the public service, ensuring that it could effectively support the growing needs of the nation. The Provisional Regulation under this Act, issued in 1906, aimed to address the immediate need for adjustments to the grading of positions within the General Division, particularly in response to the changing demands and requirements of various departments and roles. This regulation, certified by the Governor-General with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, was designed to implement urgent amendments to the salary scales and conditions of service to better align with operational needs and to provide clarity and consistency in remuneration. The overarching policy objective was to ensure that the public service could attract, retain, and effectively utilise skilled personnel, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 pertains to the grading of officers within the General Division of the public service across all departments in the Commonwealth of Australia. The Regulation specifically amends the minimum and maximum yearly rates of pay and the scale of additions for various positions such as Engine-driver Foreman, Messenger Grade I, Plumber and Gas-fitter, Foreman Mail Branch, and Ship Mailman. These amendments are retroactive to July 1, 1904, indicating their immediate application to positions existing and newly filled from that date. The salaries for these roles are determined by the Commissioner based on the work performed, with certain roles not having additions to their pay. The Regulation does not specify exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the outlined amendments. The scope of this Regulation is confined to the Commonwealth and does not extend to state or territory jurisdictions. While the primary focus is on the specified roles, the broader implications of the Regulation may extend to other positions within the General Division through subordinate instruments or amendments under the Act.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this Provisional Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 (C1906L00002) concern the grading of positions within the General Division of the public service. Regulation 104 amends the schedule of the Act to revise the minimum, maximum, and incremental pay rates for certain positions, such as Engine-driver, Foreman, Messenger, and Plumber and Gas-fitter, among others. The changes are designed to be retroactive, effective from 1 July 1904, for certain roles. These amendments are intended to provide clarity and consistency in the compensation structure across the specified positions within the public service.
The Regulation imposes several obligations on the public service entities it governs. Firstly, it mandates that the Commissioner fix salaries for certain roles within specified minimum and maximum yearly rates of pay. This ensures that remuneration is aligned with the updated pay scales while also taking into account the individual performance and duties of the roles. Additionally, the Regulation requires that the new pay scales be applied retroactively for specific positions, ensuring that any adjustments to salaries are made in accordance with the updated rates since the designated effective date.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Regulation can lead to various consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not explicitly stated in the Regulation itself, breaches of public service regulations generally can result in disciplinary actions, including warnings, fines, or even dismissal for public servants. Additionally, entities that fail to adhere to the prescribed pay scales may face legal challenges or administrative penalties. The exact nature and severity of these consequences would typically be determined by the applicable laws and regulations governing public service employment and financial management at the time.