STATUTORY RULES.
1907. No. 10.
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, should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a “Provisional Regulation.”
Dated this 19th day of February, One thousand nine hundred and seven.
NORTHCOTE,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
J. H. KEATING,
Minister of State for Home Affairs.
Public Service Regulation 199 is amended to read as follows:—
199. Every applicant for employment as telegraph messenger must be between the ages of thirteen and fifteen years at date of examination. Every applicant nominated for appointment as telegraph messenger must be not less than thirteen nor more than fifteen years of age at his last birthday previous to appointment, and must cease to be so employed when he attains the age of eighteen years, unless in the meantime he has been transferred or promoted to some other position in the service for which he has qualified by passing the required examination. Provided, however, that no person shall be appointed as telegraph messenger in the States of New South Wales, Victoria, or Western Australia, under the age of fourteen years, unless he can produce evidence from the authorities administering the education laws of the State in which he resides that he has attained the standard of education prescribed by such laws, or that he is exempted from school attendance.
By Authority: J. Kemp, Acting Government Printer, Melbourne.
C.1125.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1907 No. 10, Provisional Regulation Under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, was enacted in 1907 to establish the minimum age requirements for employment as a telegraph messenger within the Commonwealth public service. This regulation was introduced to ensure that young applicants met a certain age and educational standard before being employed in this role. The Provisional Regulation was issued by the Governor-General in Council, following advice from the Federal Executive Council, due to the urgency of the matter. The regulation aims to standardise the age criteria across different states, ensuring consistency in the employment of telegraph messengers while considering local educational requirements.
The regulation sets the minimum age for applicants at thirteen years, with an upper limit of fifteen years, and mandates that employment must cease at eighteen years unless the individual has been transferred or promoted. Additionally, in New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia, applicants must be at least fourteen years old, and they must provide evidence of meeting the educational standards set by the state or be exempted from school attendance. This provisional regulation was intended to address the need for a unified and regulated approach to the employment of young people in the public service, reflecting the policy objective of ensuring suitable employment conditions and educational qualifications for telegraph messengers.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 pertains specifically to the employment of individuals as telegraph messengers within the public service. The regulation sets forth stringent age requirements for applicants and nominees, stipulating that every applicant must be between the ages of thirteen and fifteen at the time of examination, and every nominee must be within the same age bracket at their last birthday prior to appointment. Furthermore, individuals in these roles must cease employment upon reaching the age of eighteen unless they have been transferred or promoted to another position within the public service. An additional requirement is imposed in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia, where the minimum age for appointment as a telegraph messenger is fourteen, unless the applicant can provide evidence of meeting the educational standards prescribed by the state or exemption from school attendance. This regulation underscores the Commonwealth's intention to establish and maintain a minimum standard for the employment of young individuals in this particular role within the public service.
Key Provisions
The Provisional Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, specifically Regulation 199, lays down clear criteria for applicants seeking employment as telegraph messengers. According to section (1), applicants for this position must be between the ages of thirteen and fifteen at the time of their examination. Furthermore, section (1) stipulates that nominees for appointment as telegraph messengers must not be under thirteen or over fifteen years of age at their last birthday before appointment, and they must cease employment when they turn eighteen, unless they have been transferred or promoted to another position within the service. This restriction is crucial to ensure that individuals are suitably aged for the responsibilities of the role while also safeguarding their welfare.
Regulation 199 also imposes specific obligations on both applicants and employers. Applicants must meet the age criteria and, in certain states, provide evidence of their educational attainment or exemption from school attendance as per state laws. Employers, on the other hand, are obligated to verify the age and educational qualifications of applicants before nomination and must adhere to the stipulated age limits for employment and cessation of service. This ensures compliance with the regulatory framework and promotes a fair and transparent selection process.
Non-compliance with the age and educational requirements set out in Regulation 199 may lead to serious consequences. While the legislation does not explicitly state the penalties for breaches, it is implied that failure to adhere to these provisions could result in the disqualification of an applicant or the invalidity of an appointment. Additionally, continued employment beyond the age of eighteen without a qualifying transfer or promotion could be considered illegal, potentially leading to termination of employment and other administrative actions. The exact penalties, however, are not detailed within the regulation itself and may be subject to further clarification or additional legislative instruments.