Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1965 No. 118, made under the Public Service Act 1922-1964, was enacted to address the need for amendments to the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations, specifically to update the pay scales for certain clerical positions within the parliamentary service. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council and the recommendations of the Chairman of Committees of the Senate and the Chairman of Committees of the House of Representatives. The policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that the salaries for clerical staff within the parliamentary service are adjusted to reflect changes in the economic conditions and to maintain fairness and competitiveness in the public sector remuneration.

Scope and Application

The Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations 1965, under the Public Service Act 1922-1964, amend the schedule by inserting new items to define the salary ranges for specific grades of clerical assistants within the parliamentary officers' framework. These amendments specifically add a Clerical Assistant, Grade 5, with a salary range of 1,070 to 1,112, and a Clerical Assistant (Female), Grade 4, with a salary range of 874 to 916. This legislation applies to individuals employed as clerical assistants within the parliamentary officers' division, affecting their remuneration and employment conditions. The geographic reach of these regulations is limited to the Commonwealth, applying specifically to federal parliamentary officers and their staff. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in these specific amendments, and the application is not extended or restricted through subordinate instruments within the provided text.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these Regulations, published under the Public Service Act 1922-1964, involve amendments to the existing Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations. Specifically, these Regulations introduce new positions within the parliamentary officers' category, namely the Clerical Assistant, Grade 5, and the Clerical Assistant (Female), Grade 4, as per the amended Schedule (item 24a and item 31a). These new positions are accompanied by their respective salary ranges: for the Clerical Assistant, Grade 5, the salary range is between 1,070 and 1,112 Australian dollars, while for the Clerical Assistant (Female), Grade 4, the salary range is between 874 and 916 Australian dollars. The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties involved. Firstly, the Administrator, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and on the recommendation of the Chairman of Committees of the Senate and the Chairman of Committees of the House of Representatives, is responsible for making these Regulations. This process is governed by the Public Service Act 1922-1964. Additionally, the Regulations must be notified in the Commonwealth Gazette, as stipulated by the Statutory Rules 1941, No. 18, as amended. The Regulations also require compliance with the existing Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations and any previous amendments, ensuring that the new positions are integrated into the existing framework without conflict. Furthermore, the Regulations provide for potential consequences for non-compliance. While the document does not specify explicit offences or penalties, breaches of the Public Service Act 1922-1964 or any subsequent amendments could lead to civil or criminal consequences. Such breaches might include failure to adhere to the specified salary ranges for the new positions, or improper appointment or remuneration of the newly created roles. Depending on the severity and nature of the breach, penalties could range from administrative sanctions to more serious legal consequences, including fines or imprisonment, as determined by the relevant authorities under the Public Service Act 1922-1964.