STATUTORY RULES.
1911. No. 98.
PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS 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 Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.
Dated this 21st day of June, One thousand nine hundred and eleven.
DUDLEY,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
KING O’MALLEY,
Minister of State for Home Affairs.
Regulations 149 and 151 made under the provisions of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 are repealed, and new Regulations, in the following terms, are made in lieu thereof:—
149. The following shall be the scale of travelling allowances:—
Salary. | Daily Allowance. | Daily Allowance after One Week’s Residence in same Place. | Hourly Rate. |
From— | To— | | | | | One twenty-fourth of daily rate for each hour when officer is absent for more than one-fourth of a day. |
£ | £ | s. | d. | s. | d. |
Over 600 | 17 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
501 | 600 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
301 | 500 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
201 | 300 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
200 and under | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Provided, however, that the travelling allowances payable to officers stationed in Western Australia shall be at the following rates:—
Salary. | Daily Allowance. | Hourly Rate. |
From— | To— | | | One twenty-fourth of daily rate for each hour when officer is absent for more than one-fourth of a day. |
£ | £ | s. | d. |
501 and upwards | 15 | 0 |
301 | 500 | 12 | 0 |
300 and under | 10 | 0 |
| | |
With an additional allowance of 25 per cent. on these rates when an officer is travelling in the gold-fields districts, and a deduction of 25 per cent. when an officer is stationed for any period in excess of ten days in any one place.
C.8629.—Price 3d.
Provided, further, that the minimum travelling allowance to Officers acting as Members of Boards of Inquiry and Appeal shall be at the rate of 12s. per diem, excepting in the cases of such officers travelling in Western Australia, where the minimum allowance shall be at the rate of 12s. 6d. per diem.
151. Officers travelling beyond the limits of the State in which they are ordinarily employed shall receive an increase of one-fifth on the scale rates. Provided that this regulation shall not apply to officers employed at stations on or near the border of any State when temporarily transferred to stations on or near the opposite border.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by J. Kemp, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Provisional Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 were enacted in 1911 by the Governor-General, acting on advice from the Federal Executive Council. These regulations address the urgency of updating the scale of travelling allowances for public service officers, particularly those stationed in Western Australia and those who travel across state borders. The objective of these regulations is to ensure fair and consistent allowances are provided to officers based on their salaries and travel circumstances, including additional allowances for travel in gold-fields districts and deductions for extended stays in one location. These regulations are designed to maintain efficiency and equity within the public service, addressing the immediate need for updated allowances as stated in the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 apply to officers of the Commonwealth Public Service who are engaged in official travel. These officers are entitled to specific allowances for their travel expenses, with the rates varying according to their salary, the location of their travel, and the duration of their stay in any particular location. Notably, the regulations include special provisions for officers stationed in Western Australia and those travelling in gold-fields districts. Additionally, officers who travel beyond the borders of the state in which they are ordinarily employed are eligible for an increased allowance, except for those stationed on or near state borders who are temporarily transferred to the opposite border. The regulations also set a minimum allowance for officers acting as Members of Boards of Inquiry and Appeal, with different rates for those travelling in Western Australia.
The geographic scope of these regulations is national, with specific provisions tailored to Western Australia. The application of the regulations is extended and potentially restricted through subordinate instruments, allowing for adjustments to the allowances and conditions of travel for Commonwealth Public Service officers. This legislative instrument underscores the Commonwealth's responsibility to provide adequate financial support to its officers for official duties, ensuring their welfare and efficiency in service delivery.
Key Provisions
The main provisions of these Provisional Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, specifically Regulations 149 and 151, pertain to the scale of travelling allowances for officers within the public service. Regulation 149 establishes the daily and hourly travelling allowances for officers based on their salary bands, with additional provisions for officers stationed in Western Australia and those travelling in gold-fields districts (Reg. 149). It also provides for an increase in allowances for officers who travel beyond the state in which they are ordinarily employed, with an exception for officers on or near state borders (Reg. 151). The allowances are designed to compensate officers for their travel expenses incurred while on duty.
These Regulations impose clear obligations on both the officers and the Commonwealth public service to ensure that officers receive the correct travelling allowances based on their salary and location. Officers must report their travel details accurately to receive the appropriate compensation. The public service is responsible for calculating and disbursing these allowances according to the stipulated rates, with special considerations for officers in Western Australia and those in gold-fields districts.
Breach of these Regulations, while not explicitly stated in the provided text, could potentially lead to administrative or financial penalties for non-compliance. For instance, if officers fail to accurately report their travel details or if the public service miscalculates the allowances, it could result in financial discrepancies or legal consequences. The precise penalties for such breaches are not detailed in the Regulations but may be subject to the general administrative and financial oversight mechanisms within the public service framework.