Public Accounts Committee Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1966 No. 149, titled "Regulations Under the Public Accounts Committee Act 1951-1965," were enacted by the Governor-General on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. These regulations were designed to amend the existing Public Accounts Committee Regulations, primarily addressing the need to update fees and allowances prescribed under the Public Accounts Committee Act. The objective was to ensure that the allowances provided to witnesses and other relevant parties were consistent with those under the Public Works Committee Act 1913-1965. This alignment aimed to maintain uniformity and fairness in compensation practices across different parliamentary committees. The regulations also repealed the existing schedule and made specific amendments to the monetary values in the regulations, reflecting changes in currency and economic conditions.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1966 No. 149 under the Public Accounts Committee Act 1951-1965 provides regulations that govern the conduct and administrative aspects of the Public Accounts Committee, an entity established to oversee and review the financial activities of the Commonwealth. The regulations apply to individuals who are summoned as witnesses before the Public Accounts Committee, as well as to the Committee itself, ensuring that there are structured allowances and fees for witnesses that are consistent with the Public Works Committee Regulations. These regulations are designed to ensure that the committee can operate effectively and efficiently while providing fair compensation for those who assist in its inquiries. The scope of these regulations is confined to the Commonwealth level, impacting entities and individuals within the federal jurisdiction, and they do not extend to state or territory entities unless otherwise specified by state laws. The exclusions and thresholds within these regulations primarily concern the financial allowances and fees, which are updated periodically to reflect economic changes and maintain fairness in compensation. These regulations also permit the establishment of further specific rules and allowances through subordinate instruments, thereby allowing for flexibility and adaptation to changing circumstances.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1966 No. 149, under the Public Accounts Committee Act 1951-1965, introduce several significant amendments to the existing Public Accounts Committee Regulations. Firstly, Regulation 4 has been repealed and replaced with a new regulation specifying that witnesses' fees and expenses are governed by the scale prescribed by the Public Works Committee Regulations for the purposes of section 27 of the Public Works Committee Act 1913-1965 (Reg. 4). Secondly, Regulation 5 has been amended to update the prescribed allowances for witnesses. The changes include increasing the allowance for members of the Commonwealth Public Service from £5 5s to $10.50, the allowance for non-public servants from £4 to $8, and specific adjustments to other allowances mentioned (Reg. 5(a)-(e)). Thirdly, the Schedule to the Public Accounts Committee Regulations has been repealed entirely (Reg. 3). These amendments impose specific obligations on the Public Accounts Committee and the witnesses who appear before it. The updated fees and allowances are now aligned with the scales prescribed by the Public Works Committee Regulations. This ensures that witnesses receive fair compensation for their time and expenses, which is critical for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the Public Accounts Committee’s proceedings. Furthermore, these provisions require the Public Accounts Committee to adhere to the prescribed scales when determining the allowances and expenses payable to witnesses, ensuring consistency and fairness in their payments. Failure to comply with the updated fees and allowances prescribed by these Regulations could result in legal consequences. Although the Regulations themselves do not explicitly outline specific penalties for non-compliance, breaches of the Public Accounts Committee Act 1951-1965 or the Public Works Committee Act 1913-1965 could lead to legal action under the respective Acts. For instance, if the Public Accounts Committee fails to pay the prescribed fees and allowances, it could be liable to compensate the aggrieved witness for any financial loss suffered due to non-payment. The specific penalties would depend on the relevant provisions of the Acts governing the Public Accounts Committee and the Public Works Committee.