Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Provisional Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, enacted in 1906, were introduced to address the need for immediate operational regulations regarding special allowances within the Commonwealth Public Service. The Governor-General, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, certified the urgency for these provisional regulations to come into immediate effect. These regulations were specifically aimed at establishing a framework for allowances related to services such as the cleaning and lighting of offices, as well as allowances for the delivery of correspondence. The intent was to ensure that these allowances were within specified limits, thereby maintaining financial control and consistency within the public service. This legislative instrument was designed to provide a temporary solution until the formal regulations could be developed and enacted, addressing a clear gap in the immediate administration of public service allowances.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, as certified by the Governor-General and effective immediately, pertain to the special allowances that can be granted within the public service. Specifically, the regulations amend the existing provisions concerning special allowances by introducing new allowances for services such as the cleaning and lighting of offices, up to a maximum annual rate of ten pounds per service, and for the delivery of correspondence up to six pounds per annum. These allowances are to be authorised by the Permanent Head, reflecting a discretionary approach to accommodate specific circumstances. Additionally, the regulations modify existing allowances by updating the recipients from line repairers and letter carriers to officers, thus broadening the scope of those eligible for such allowances. These provisions are designed to support operational needs within the public service and are applicable to all relevant entities and personnel within the Commonwealth public service.

Key Provisions

The Provisional Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, specifically in Part IV, introduce new provisions regarding special allowances (Reg. 163a). These provisions allow the Permanent Head to grant allowances for the cleaning and lighting of offices, up to a maximum of ten pounds per annum for each service. Additionally, in special circumstances, the Permanent Head can authorise an allowance for the delivery of correspondence, which can be up to six pounds per annum. Furthermore, Regulation 164 has been amended to replace the terms "line repairers and letter carriers" with the term "officers". These regulations impose certain obligations on the entities they govern. Firstly, they establish that the Permanent Head has the authority to grant special allowances for specific services related to office maintenance and correspondence delivery. The allowances must be within the stipulated limits, and any special cases for correspondence delivery must be justified and approved by the Permanent Head. Additionally, the modification of Regulation 164 signifies that the scope of officers eligible for these allowances has been expanded, potentially impacting the administration and distribution of these allowances. The Regulations also outline potential consequences for breaches of these provisions. While specific offences, penalties, or detailed consequences for breaches are not explicitly stated in the provided text, it is reasonable to infer that any misuse or unauthorised distribution of allowances could lead to disciplinary actions under the Public Service Act 1902. The exact nature and extent of these consequences would depend on the specific circumstances and the internal policies of the public service entities involved. However, the regulations do not provide explicit maximum penalties within the excerpt provided.