Labour and Industrial Statistics (Agents and Correspondents) Regulations 1911 (Provisional)

Overview

The Labour and Industrial Statistics (Agents and Correspondents) Regulations 1912 were introduced to establish a framework for the appointment and duties of Agents and Correspondents for the Labour and Industrial Branch of the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics. Enacted under the authority of the Governor-General in Council, these regulations provide for the immediate operation of provisional measures to ensure the efficient collection of labour and industrial statistics. The primary objective of these regulations is to streamline the process of gathering essential data by appointing suitable individuals who will be responsible for executing specific duties assigned by the Commonwealth Statistician. Additionally, the regulations outline the penalties for failing to comply with the duties of an Agent or Correspondent, as well as for those who refuse to provide necessary information requested by an Agent or Correspondent, thereby ensuring the integrity and reliability of the collected data.

Scope and Application

The Labour and Industrial Statistics (Agents and Correspondents) Regulations 1912 apply to individuals who are appointed by the Minister under the Census and Statistics Act 1905 to act as Agents or Correspondents for the Labour and Industrial Branch of the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics. These appointees are responsible for carrying out duties related to the collection of labour and industrial statistics, which may be general or specific to certain trades. Prior to their appointment, these individuals must make a declaration before a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for Affidavits, affirming their commitment to faithfully executing their duties, maintaining confidentiality of information obtained, and adhering to the prescribed forms and documents. The regulations cover the Commonwealth of Australia and any territories under its jurisdiction, with the aim of ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the collected data. Breach of the declaration or refusal to provide necessary information can lead to penalties, thereby enforcing compliance with the requirements of the Census and Statistics Act 1905.

Key Provisions

The Labour and Industrial Statistics (Agents and Correspondents) Regulations 1912 (the "Regulations") establish the framework for appointing agents and correspondents to assist the Labour and Industrial Branch of the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics in collecting labour and industrial statistics. According to section 2(1), the Minister has the authority to appoint individuals as Agents and Correspondents in locations deemed appropriate. These individuals may be appointed either generally for the collection of labour and industrial statistics or for specific trades as specified by the Minister. Section 2(2) further details that these appointments are made at the Minister's discretion, and appointees are compensated based on rates approved by the Minister. Each Agent and Correspondent is tasked with performing duties assigned by the Commonwealth Statistician, as outlined in section 3. Prior to taking office or commencing duties, each Agent and Correspondent must make a formal declaration, as stipulated in section 4, affirming their commitment to faithfully executing their duties, maintaining the integrity of the documents they handle, and keeping any obtained information confidential unless directed otherwise by an authorised officer or as prescribed by the Regulations. The Regulations impose several obligations on Agents and Correspondents. Most critically, they must adhere to the duties assigned by the Commonwealth Statistician and ensure they are performed diligently and faithfully. This includes maintaining the confidentiality of any information obtained during their duties and refraining from any actions that might compromise the integrity of the collected data, such as altering forms or documents. Furthermore, Agents and Correspondents must provide truthful and complete information when responding to queries from authorised personnel and must possess and present their authority when seeking information from the public. Breaches of these obligations are addressed in section 5, which outlines the offences and penalties associated with non-compliance. Agents and Correspondents who fail to perform their duties, wilfully neglect their responsibilities, alter documents, sign untrue documents, or disclose confidential information without authorisation are guilty of an offence, with a penalty of twenty pounds. Additionally, section 6 imposes a penalty of ten pounds on any person who refuses or fails to provide necessary information to an Agent or Correspondent when such information is required for the authorised collection of data. These penalties serve as deterrents to ensure compliance and the integrity of the statistical data collection process.