Public Accounts Committee Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1969 No. 45, the Regulations under the Public Accounts Committee Act 1951-1966, were enacted to address the need for updated allowances for members of the Public Accounts Committee and its sectional committees. These regulations were made by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, under the authority granted by the Public Accounts Committee Act. The primary objective of these regulations is to adjust the prescribed allowances for members' attendance at committee meetings and for travel related to committee duties, ensuring that these allowances reflect the current economic conditions and better compensate members for their time and expenses incurred in fulfilling their parliamentary responsibilities.

Scope and Application

The Public Accounts Committee Regulations 1969, made under the Public Accounts Committee Act 1951-1966, amend the prescribed allowances for attendance at meetings and travel for the purpose of performing duties as a member of the Public Accounts Committee or a Sectional Committee. These regulations apply to meetings and travel undertaken on or after the first day of December 1968. They specifically adjust the monetary allowances for various types of attendance and travel, reflecting changes in economic conditions since the original regulations were established. The amendments are designed to ensure that the allowances remain commensurate with the expenses incurred by committee members in carrying out their duties. These regulations apply throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, demonstrating the federal nature of their application. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within these regulations, and they are intended to provide a uniform standard of remuneration across the committee's activities.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Public Accounts Committee Act 1951-1966, specifically the Statutory Rules of 1969 No. 45, introduce amendments to the Public Accounts Committee Regulations primarily concerning prescribed allowances. Regulation 5 is the focal point of these amendments, with several changes to the allowances for attendance at meetings and travel expenses for duties performed by members of the Public Accounts Committee or its Sectional Committees. The amendments involve increasing the allowances, such as raising the allowance for attendance at a meeting from ten dollars and fifty cents to thirteen dollars and adjusting other allowances accordingly (regulation 1(a)-(d)). These regulations impose specific obligations on the Public Accounts Committee and its Sectional Committees. Members of these committees are entitled to the updated allowances when attending meetings or travelling for committee-related duties on or after the first day of December, 1968. The updated rates ensure that members are fairly compensated for their time and travel expenses in the performance of their duties. This is a crucial aspect of the Act, ensuring that committee members can undertake their responsibilities without financial burden, thereby facilitating effective oversight and accountability. Failure to adhere to the allowances prescribed by these Regulations may have legal implications. Although the specific legislative instrument does not detail offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance, it is reasonable to infer that breaches of the allowances could lead to legal scrutiny, especially if they involve misuse of public funds or failure to adhere to prescribed financial regulations. Typically, such breaches might attract penalties under the broader legislative framework governing public office holders and their entitlements.