Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1964 No. 46, titled "Regulations Under the Public Service Act 1922-1964," were enacted to amend the Public Service Regulations in relation to travel allowances for public service officers. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for updated allowances to reflect changes in the cost of living and travel. The Public Service Board, acting under the authority conferred by the Public Service Act 1922-1964, made these regulations, which were subsequently approved by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The regulations were notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 23 March 1964 and came into effect on the same date. The objective of these amendments was to ensure that the travelling allowances provided to public service officers were commensurate with the current economic conditions and the costs associated with travel.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922-1964 apply to all officers and employees of the Commonwealth public service, including those employed in various departments and agencies across the Commonwealth. These regulations govern the rates of allowances for travel, thereby impacting the financial compensation for public servants when they are required to travel on official business. The scope of these regulations extends across the entire Commonwealth, ensuring uniformity in the allowances provided to public servants regardless of the state or territory in which they are employed. The regulations specify different rates of allowances based on the salary of the public servant and the location of travel, whether in capital cities or elsewhere. Notably, these regulations do not cover private sector employees or those employed by state or local governments, limiting their application strictly to the Commonwealth public service. Any modifications or extensions to these regulations can be made through further statutory rules, as authorised by the Public Service Act.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922-1964, as approved and notified in Statutory Rules 1964, No. 46, primarily concern the amendments to the rates of travelling allowances for public servants. Regulation 75a has been specifically amended to adjust the rates of daily allowances for public servants residing away from their official duty station (section 1). The new rates are differentiated based on the salary or maximum salary of the office and whether the residence is in a capital city or elsewhere (section 1). The daily allowance for the first twenty-one days of residence is set at varying rates depending on the salary bracket and location, ranging from £4 5s 0d to £6 15s 0d (section 1). Additionally, the amount of the travelling allowance itself is increased from "Four pounds eighteen shillings" to "Six pounds fifteen shillings" (section 2). These regulations impose specific obligations on public servants who are entitled to these allowances. They must comply with the new rates set out in the amended regulations when claiming their allowances, ensuring they provide accurate and appropriate documentation to substantiate their claims. The Public Service Board, as the governing body, is tasked with overseeing the implementation and enforcement of these regulations to ensure public servants are compensated fairly and in accordance with the updated rates. Failure to comply with the provisions of these regulations may result in legal consequences. While the regulations themselves do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, breaches of public service regulations can generally lead to disciplinary actions, including fines, deductions from salary, or other administrative penalties as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities. The specific penalties for non-compliance with these allowances would be determined in line with the broader public service regulations and applicable laws at the time.