Statutory Rules
1979 No. 178
REGULATIONS UNDER THE PUBLIC SERVICE ACT 19221
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and on the recommendation of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, hereby make the following Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922.
Dated this twenty-eighth day of August 1979.
ZELMAN COWEN
Governor-General
By His Excellency’s Command,
IAN VINER
Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs for and on behalf of the Prime Minister
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AMENDMENTS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE
(PARLIAMENTARY OFFICERS) REGULATIONS2
Meal allowance
1. Regulation 55 of the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (1) “$4.10” and substituting “$4.30”.
Rates of travelling allowance
2. Regulation 57 of the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations is amended—
(a) by omitting the table in paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (1) and substituting the following table:
Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
Meal | Amount for capital city-Level 1 or above | Amount for place other than capital city—Level 1 or above | Amount for capital city— below Level 1 | Amount for place other than capital city—below Level 1 |
| $ | $ | $ | $ |
Breakfast.... | 4.60 | 3.95 | 3.75 | 3.10 |
Lunch....... | 6.40 | 4.80 | 3.80 | 4.00 |
Dinner...... | 8.70 | 6.90 | 7.80 | 6.25 |
|
(b) by omitting the table in paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (1aa) and substituting the following table:
Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 |
Amount for capital city-Level 1 or above | Amount for place other than capital city—Level 1 or above | Amount for capital city— below Level 1 | Amount for place other than capital city—below Level 1 |
$ | $ | $ | $ |
28.30 | 20.35 | 21.90 | 17.25 |
(c) by omitting the table in paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (1ab) and substituting the following table:
Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 |
Amount for capital city-Level 1 or above | Amount for place other than capital city—Level 1 or above | Amount for capital city— below Level 1 | Amount for place other than capital city—below Level 1 |
$ | $ | $ | $ |
5.00 | 5.00 | 3.90 | 3.90 |
NOTES
1. Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 4 September 1979.
2. Statutory Rules 1941 No. 18 as amended by Statutory Rules 1941 No. 309; 1942 No. 249; 1947 Nos. 13, 62, 154 and 165; 1951 Nos. 26, 27, 78 and 117; 1952 No. 54; 1953 Nos. 72 and 94; 1954 Nos. 86 and 120; 1955 No. 44; 1956 Nos. 56 and 57; 1957 No. 26; 1958 Nos. 19, 44 and 66; 1959 No. 61; 1960 Nos. 78 and 92; 1961 No. 98; 1962 No. 6; 1963 Nos. 3, 66, 83, 119 and 123; 1964 Nos. 41, 42, 80, 132, 148 and 160; 1965 Nos. 43, 53, 118, 150 and 181; 1966 Nos. 59, 60, 92, 122, 143 and 161; 1967 Nos. 38, 73, 95 and 156; 1968 Nos. 56, 84, 93, 116, 137 and 157; 1969 Nos. 75, 173 and 174; 1970 Nos. 27, 79 and 160; 1972 Nos. 41 and 85; 1973 Nos. 3, 167, 223 and 224; 1974 Nos. 10 and 183; 1975 No. 22; 1976 No. 2; and 1978 No. 190.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1979 No. 178, the Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922, were enacted by the Governor-General, acting on advice from the Federal Executive Council and recommendations from the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. This legislative instrument aimed to address the need for updating specific allowances for parliamentary officers within the public service framework. The Public Service Act 1922 serves as the foundational legislation, and the stated policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that allowances provided to parliamentary officers are reflective of current economic conditions and appropriately compensate for their duties.
Scope and Application
The Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations, made under the Public Service Act 1922, apply to parliamentary officers within the Australian federal government, affecting their meal and travelling allowances. These regulations establish specific rates for meal allowances, differentiating between meals taken in capital cities and other locations, as well as varying amounts based on the officer's level. The amendments outlined in the Statutory Rules 1979 No. 178 adjust these allowances, reflecting updates to meal costs and travelling expenses. These adjustments are applicable nationwide and are subject to further modifications through subordinate instruments, ensuring that the allowances remain aligned with the cost of living and travel expenses. There are no explicit exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the text, indicating that these allowances apply universally to parliamentary officers as defined within the scope of the Public Service Act 1922.
Key Provisions
The Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations, as amended, primarily adjust the meal and travelling allowances for parliamentary officers. Regulation 55 now specifies a meal allowance of $4.30, replacing the previous amount of $4.10. Regulation 57 further details the travelling allowances, with various rates based on the location and level of the parliamentary officer. These rates are categorised by meal type and whether the location is a capital city or not, with different amounts specified for officers at Level 1 or above, and those below Level 1.
These regulations impose specific financial obligations on parliamentary officers by setting the rates for meal and travelling allowances. Officers must adhere to these rates when claiming or receiving allowances, ensuring that their claims are consistent with the prescribed amounts. The regulations also require officers to maintain accurate records of their travel and meal expenses to substantiate their claims under these allowances.
While the regulations themselves do not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance, breaches of the Public Service Act 1922 or associated regulations could lead to disciplinary actions. Such actions may include warnings, fines, or more severe penalties depending on the severity and nature of the breach. Additionally, officers found to be in violation of these allowances could face consequences such as repayment of improperly claimed amounts, with potential civil or criminal liability for fraudulent claims.