Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1959 No. 42, made under the Public Service Act 1922-1958, address the need to amend the Public Service Regulations concerning the variation of salaries for officers in the Second, Third, and Fourth Divisions. Enacted by the Public Service Board and subsequently approved by the Governor-General, these regulations aim to provide specific increases in salary for various classes of officers, categorised by age and gender, to ensure fair compensation across the public service. The policy objective is to standardise salary adjustments to maintain equity and efficiency within the public service, reflecting the importance of appropriate remuneration to attract and retain skilled personnel.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument, Statutory Rules 1959 No. 42, amends the Public Service Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922-1958. The regulation applies specifically to officers within the Second, Third, and Fourth Divisions of the Commonwealth public service. It sets forth the adjustments to the rates of salary payable to these officers, taking into account their age and gender, as well as the specific roles they occupy within the public service. The regulation is effective across the entire Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing all federal public service officers within the specified divisions, without geographic or jurisdictional limitations. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the regulation itself, though it is subject to the overarching provisions of the Public Service Act 1922-1958. The regulation may be further elaborated or restricted by subordinate instruments issued under the authority of the Act.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Regulation under the Public Service Act 1922-1958 pertain to the variation of salaries for officers in the Second, Third, and Fourth Divisions. Section 106a(1) stipulates that the salary of officers in specified classes, as listed in the table within the sub-regulation, shall be increased by a set amount per annum. This increase is categorised by the officer’s gender and age, with a tiered structure for both male and female officers. Section 106a(2) provides conditions under which officers under the age of twenty-one may receive salary increases as if they had attained that age, particularly if they meet advancement criteria. Section 106a(3) addresses officers under the age of twenty who are subject to specific regulations, ensuring their salaries are adjusted accordingly. Section 106a(4) and (5) detail additional increases for certain roles, such as Typists, Accounting Machinists, Card Punch Operators, and trainees in technical fields. The Regulation imposes obligations on the Public Service Board to implement these salary increases as per the specified conditions and categories. It mandates that officers who meet the criteria for advancement or fall into specific job classifications receive the stipulated salary adjustments. The Board must ensure that these changes are accurately reflected in the officers' pay and that all relevant conditions are met to qualify for the increases. For breaches of the Regulation, there are potential civil and criminal consequences. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, under Australian law, breaches of statutory regulations can lead to penalties, including fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The maximum penalties would depend on the severity and intent behind the breach, as well as any additional laws that might apply. Generally, non-compliance with public service regulations can result in disciplinary actions against the officers involved and legal action against the Board or other governing bodies for failing to enforce the provisions correctly.