Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1971 No. 1443, made under the Public Service Act 1922-1968, were enacted to amend the Public Service Regulations, specifically addressing the qualifications and performance requirements for certain positions within the public service. This legislative instrument was developed by the Public Service Board, which acted pursuant to the authority granted by the Public Service Act. It was subsequently approved by the Governor-General, Paul Hasluck, on 1 April 1971. The amendments detailed in the Second Schedule aimed to revise the criteria for roles such as Assistant Photographer and Dark Room Operator, Grade 1, by replacing existing qualifications with new efficiency-based performance requirements. This alteration was designed to ensure that public service employees meet updated standards of efficiency in their respective duties.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1971 No. 1443 under the Public Service Act 1922-1968, made by the Public Service Board and approved by the Governor-General, pertains to amendments of the Public Service Regulations. These regulations apply to the employees of the Commonwealth public service, specifically targeting roles such as Assistant Photographer and Dark Room Operator, Grade 1, ensuring that such personnel have performed efficiently in their duties. The regulation's jurisdictional reach is nationwide as it applies to the Commonwealth public service, which operates across Australia. This legislative instrument amends the Second Schedule of the Public Service Regulations, updating the criteria for efficient performance in specific roles within the public service. The regulation does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, thus applying uniformly to all relevant personnel within the Commonwealth public service. The scope of the regulation is limited to the specified amendments, with no indication of broader application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Regulation amends the Public Service Regulations under the authority conferred by the Public Service Act 1922-1968. Specifically, it modifies the Second Schedule by altering the qualifications required for certain positions. For instance, in item 1aa, the regulation changes the requirement in paragraph (b) to stipulate that an individual must have efficiently performed all the duties of the office of Assistant Photographer (Regulation 1971, No. 1443, Second Schedule, item 1aa). Similarly, in item 3b, the amendment replaces paragraph (b) to require that an individual has efficiently performed all the duties of the office of Dark Room Operator, Grade 1 or Assistant Photographer (Regulation 1971, No. 1443, Second Schedule, item 3b). The obligations imposed by these amendments are primarily related to the qualifications and experience needed for specific public service roles. For the position of Assistant Photographer, it is now mandatory that the individual has efficiently performed all duties associated with that role. Similarly, for the Dark Room Operator, Grade 1 position, the individual must demonstrate efficient performance of duties that include those of an Assistant Photographer. These amendments ensure that only qualified and experienced candidates are considered for these roles, thereby maintaining high standards within the public service. Breach of these regulations could have significant consequences, though the specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided. Generally, under the Public Service Act 1922-1968, non-compliance with public service regulations can lead to disciplinary actions, including potential dismissal from service. The Act allows for a range of penalties, and the precise consequences would depend on the nature and severity of the breach. For example, failure to meet the specified qualifications could result in employment termination or other disciplinary measures as deemed appropriate by the Public Service Board.