Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1968 No. 157, Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922-1968, were introduced to amend the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations, updating various salary scales for different positions within the parliamentary service. 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, these regulations aim to ensure that the remuneration of parliamentary officers remains competitive and in line with changes in the broader public service. The policy objective is to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of the parliamentary service by providing appropriate financial incentives to its officers. The regulations provide for adjustments to salary scales for roles such as reporters, librarians, stenographers, gardeners, and maintenance officers, reflecting the changing nature of work and the need to attract and retain skilled personnel.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1968 No._________, being Regulations made under the Public Service Act 1922-1968, primarily apply to various officers within the parliamentary service of the Commonwealth of Australia, affecting their classifications and remuneration. The scope of the Regulations is limited to the amendments of the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations, specifically updating the salary scales for various positions such as Reporters, Librarians, and Stenographers among others, as well as roles such as Maintenance Officers and Gardeners. These Regulations are applicable nationally within the Commonwealth, directly impacting the remuneration and classification of officers employed in parliamentary services. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text of these Regulations; however, the scope of application may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments. The Regulations are designed to ensure that the remuneration of affected officers remains consistent and fair, especially in light of the changes in salary scales.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules 1968 No. ____ involve amendments to the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations. Specifically, Section 1 amends the First Schedule by replacing items 1 through 5 with new positions and salary brackets for various reporting roles, including Second Reporter, Third Reporter, Supervisor, Senior Reporter, and Reporter (items 1-5). Section 2 amends the Second Schedule, Part I, by modifying items 11, 17, 18, 27, 31, 36, and 40 to update the positions and salary brackets for roles such as Steno-secretary (Female), Grade 1, Stenographer (Female), Grade 1, Foreman Gardener, Attendant, Grade 3, and Gardener. Section 4 addresses the payment of allowances for officers who were in certain positions before the amendments took effect, ensuring their total remuneration remains consistent. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties governed by it. Firstly, it mandates that the Parliamentary Head must authorize the payment of allowances to officers who occupied specific positions before the amendments took effect, ensuring their remuneration is not less than what it would have been under the new regulations. Additionally, the regulations themselves set out the new positions and corresponding salary brackets for various roles, which must be adhered to in terms of classification and remuneration. These obligations are intended to ensure a smooth transition to the new salary structure while maintaining fairness to those who were in their positions prior to the changes. The Statutory Rules also outline potential consequences for non-compliance with the regulations. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the text, breaches of public service regulations generally can lead to various civil or criminal consequences. These might include fines, penalties, or even criminal charges, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. The maximum penalties would be determined by relevant laws governing public service misconduct and financial irregularities. The regulations emphasize the importance of adhering to the new structure to avoid any legal repercussions.