National Health Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1957, No. 71, issued under the National Health Act 1953-1956, were enacted to provide specific amendments to the National Health Regulations, particularly concerning the fees and allowances for members of health-related committees. These regulations were brought into effect on the first day of July, 1957, and were issued by the Governor-General on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The primary objective of these amendments was to clarify and adjust the remuneration for committee members, excluding those who are officers of the Public Service of the Commonwealth or a State, in order to ensure appropriate compensation for their time and travel expenses related to committee duties. The changes provided a structured framework for the fees and allowances, setting specific rates for the Chairman and other members, as well as allowances for overnight absences from their usual place of residence due to committee meetings.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules, made under the National Health Act 1953-1956, specifically amend the National Health Regulations to address the fees and allowances for members of Committees. This legislative instrument applies to individuals who are members of a Committee, excluding those who are officers of the Public Service of the Commonwealth or a State. It sets out the financial compensation for their services, including daily attendance fees and allowances for overnight absences from their usual place of residence. The regulations came into operation on July 1, 1957, and provide explicit monetary values for the fees and allowances. Notably, the amendment replaces an existing regulation, signifying a revision to the financial structure for committee members involved in national health activities.

Key Provisions

The Regulations made under the National Health Act 1953-1956, specifically detailed in Statutory Rules 1957 No. 71, amend the National Health Regulations to introduce new provisions concerning fees and allowances for members of Committees. Regulation 23 is repealed and replaced to adjust compensation for committee members. According to section 23(1), the regulation does not apply to the Chairman or members of a Committee who are officers of the Public Service of the Commonwealth or of a State. The Chairman is entitled to a fee of Eight pounds eight shillings for each day they attend a meeting, as outlined in section 23(2). Similarly, other members of the Committee are entitled to a fee of Seven pounds seven shillings for each day of attendance, as stated in section 23(3). Additionally, both the Chairman and other members are entitled to an allowance of Five pounds five shillings for each day or part of a day they are absent from their usual place of residence overnight for the purpose of attending a meeting, as per section 23(4). These Regulations impose obligations on the parties involved, particularly on the Chairman and members of the Committee, to ensure they are appropriately compensated for their time and travel. The compensation structure is designed to reflect the time and effort required for committee attendance, including overnight stays if necessary. The obligations are clear and specific, ensuring that the parties involved are aware of their entitlements and the conditions under which these entitlements apply. While the Regulations themselves do not explicitly outline offences or penalties for non-compliance, any breaches of these provisions could potentially be addressed under the broader framework of the National Health Act 1953-1956. The Act may provide for enforcement actions, including potential fines or other penalties, if the stipulated compensation is not provided in accordance with the Regulations. However, the specific penalties are not detailed in these Regulations and would need to be referred to within the broader legislative context of the Act.