Public Service (Parliamentary Offices) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1975 No. 22, approved by the Governor-General of Australia, amends the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922-1974. This legislative instrument addresses the need to modernise and update certain allowances and conditions applicable to parliamentary officers. The Regulations were enacted with the advice of the Executive Council, on the recommendation of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, ensuring they align with contemporary standards and practices. The objective of these amendments is to ensure that allowances and conditions are up-to-date, thereby maintaining fair and equitable treatment of officers within the parliamentary service. This regulatory update reflects the commitment to providing appropriate compensation and allowances, reflecting changes in economic conditions and operational requirements.

Scope and Application

The regulations amend the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations, which apply to officers within the Australian Public Service, particularly those in Parliament House, Canberra. These amendments primarily focus on updating certain allowances and payments for officers, such as payment in lieu of recreation leave, allowances for carrying passengers or goods on behalf of Australia, and cleaning allowances. The changes involve modifying specific figures and units of measurement to reflect current standards and practices. The regulations extend the application of the Public Service Act 1922-1974 to these particular allowances and payments, affecting officers employed under the Act. These amendments are made through subordinate legislation, indicating that the regulations are an extension of the primary Act and do not introduce any new exclusions or exemptions beyond those already outlined in the Public Service Act. The scope of the regulations is limited to the amendments specified, without broader jurisdictional changes.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922-1974, as amended by Statutory Rules 1975 No. 22, are primarily focused on updating specific provisions within the Public Service (Parliamentary Officers) Regulations. These amendments include changes to payment provisions, allowances for carrying passengers or goods, and cleaning allowances. Regulation 36c has been updated to reference section 68b instead of section 68, indicating a shift in the application of recreation leave payments (1). Regulation 68c modifies the weight measurement from two hundredweights to 100 kilograms and alters the mileage rate from 1 cent per mile to 0.63 cents per kilometre (2). Additionally, Regulation 69b updates the measurement of cleaning areas from feet to metres (3). The obligations imposed by these regulations include ensuring that payments and allowances are calculated according to the updated provisions. For example, officers must now be compensated under the revised allowances for carrying passengers or goods and for cleaning services based on the new metric measurements (2, 3). Furthermore, the regulations require that any changes to the schedules, such as the addition of a new position or the amendment of existing roles, are accurately reflected in the documented pay scales and job descriptions (4, 5). Failure to comply with these regulations could result in legal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of public service regulations generally may lead to civil or criminal charges depending on the nature and severity of the violation. The penalties for such breaches could include fines or other sanctions as determined by relevant authorities. In cases of wilful misconduct or fraud, more severe penalties may apply, potentially involving imprisonment or other criminal sanctions.