Statutory Rules 1981 No. 651
–––––––
Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations2 (Amendment)
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 Regulation under the Public Service Act 1922.
Dated 1 April 1981.
ZELMAN COWEN
Governor-General
By His Excellency’s Command,
IAN VINER
Minister of State for Employment and Youth Affairs for and on behalf of the
Prime Minister
–––––––––
Allowance payable for use, for official purposes, of private vehicle
Regulation 68a of the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations is amended by omitting from Column 4 of the table in sub-regulation (4) “18.1”, “15.5”, “14.4” and “13.3” and substituting “20.3”, “17.7”, “16.0” and “14.3” respectively.
NOTES
1. Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 April 1981.
2. Statutory Rules 1941 No. 18, as amended by Statutory Rules 1941 Nos. 18 and 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; 1978 No. 190; 1979 Nos. 178 and 297; 1980 Nos. 404 and 405.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1981 No. 651, specifically the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations (Amendment), was enacted on 1 April 1981 by 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. This legislative instrument amends Regulation 68a of the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations to adjust the allowance rates payable for the use of private vehicles for official purposes by parliamentary officers. The regulation updates the rates by substituting new figures in place of the previous ones, thereby addressing the need to periodically review and adjust the allowances to reflect current conditions and costs. The enactment ensures that parliamentary officers are fairly compensated for the use of their private vehicles for official duties, maintaining the integrity and functionality of the parliamentary system.
Scope and Application
The Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations 1981 (Amendment) concerns the adjustments to allowances for the use of private vehicles for official purposes by parliamentary officers, as per the Public Service Act 1922. These regulations apply to parliamentary officers who are subject to the Public Service Act, ensuring they receive appropriate compensation for the use of their personal vehicles for official duties. The scope of the regulation is limited to adjustments in allowances within the specified parameters and does not extend to broader areas of public service remuneration or conduct. The amendment directly affects the specified allowances listed in the regulation, indicating a targeted adjustment rather than a comprehensive overhaul of the allowances system.
Geographically, these regulations are applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, reflecting the federal nature of the public service and the need for uniformity in allowances across different states and territories. There are no exclusions or exemptions specified within this amendment; it applies universally to all parliamentary officers within the defined scope. The amendment itself does not extend or restrict application through subordinate instruments but rather stands as a direct modification to the existing regulations.
Key Provisions
The main operative section of the Statutory Rules 1981 No. 651, which amends the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations, is regulation 68a (sub-regulation 4). This section pertains to the allowance payable for the use of a private vehicle for official purposes by parliamentary officers. Specifically, the regulation modifies the rates listed in the table by replacing certain figures with new ones. For example, it changes the rates from "18.1", "15.5", "14.4" and "13.3" to "20.3", "17.7", "16.0" and "14.3" respectively. This amendment reflects an adjustment in the reimbursement rates for parliamentary officers who use their own vehicles for official duties.
The amended regulation imposes specific obligations on the entities it governs, primarily the parliamentary officers themselves and the public service administration. Parliamentary officers are expected to accurately report the use of their private vehicles for official purposes to ensure they receive the correct reimbursement under the new rates. The public service administration, on the other hand, must implement the updated rates in their records and ensure that the correct allowance is paid to parliamentary officers who use their vehicles for official duties. This includes updating their systems and communications to reflect the changes in the allowance rates.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this regulation can result in civil consequences for the parties involved. If parliamentary officers do not report their vehicle use accurately, they may underreport or overreport their usage, leading to discrepancies in their reimbursement. Similarly, if the public service administration fails to apply the new rates correctly, it may result in incorrect payments being made, which could lead to financial discrepancies and potential audits. While the regulation does not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance could lead to financial adjustments and possibly corrective actions as deemed necessary by the relevant authorities.
In summary, the amendment to the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations through Statutory Rules 1981 No. 651 primarily affects the rates of reimbursement for parliamentary officers using their private vehicles for official purposes. It sets forth obligations for accurate reporting and proper application of the new rates by both parliamentary officers and the public service administration. While the regulation does not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance, any discrepancies resulting from failure to adhere to the new rates could lead to financial adjustments and corrective measures.