EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1982 NO 87
PUBLIC SERVICE REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
Issued with the Authority of the Public Service Board
Sub-section 97(1) of the Public Service Act 1922 provides that the Public Service Board may, with the approval of the Governor-General, make regulations prescribing all matters which are required or permitted to be prescribed for giving effect to that Act.
Section 19A of the Public Service Act 1922 provides that the regulations may made provision for the establishment of a Joint Council, which shall be representative of the Board and of Departments and of organizations of officers or employees, and shall be constituted in such manner as is prescribed. The section further provides that the Council shall have such functions as are prescribed with respect to matters of general interest in relation to the Service which are referred to the Council by the Board.
Regulation 72B of the Public Service Regulations provides for the creation and constitution of Joint Council. Paragraph 72B(1)(d) currently provides that the Council shall include 9 representatives of staff organizations, comprising 5 nominated by the Council of Australian Government Employee Organizations (CAGEO), 3 nominated by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and 1 nominated by the Council of Professional Associations (CPA).
Following the merger of CAGEO with the ACTU, the amendment of paragraph 72B(1)(d) effected by these Statutory Rules removes the reference to CAGEO and provides for 8 representatives to be nominated by the ACTU. The ACTU and CPA were consulted on the proposal to make this amendment.