EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
PUBLIC SERVICE REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
STATUTORY RULES 1984 NO. 142
Issued with the authority of the Public Service Board
Sub-section 97(1) of the Public Service Act 1922 provides, inter alia, 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, or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed, for carrying out or giving effect to the Act.
Sub-section 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 provides, inter alia, that where an Act confers a power to make regulations the power shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as including a power to vary any such regulations.
The regulations amend the Public Service Regulations to provide terminology consistent with that inserted in the Public Service Act by the Public Service Acts Amendment Act 1982 and the Public Service Reform Act 1984.
The changes in terminology are the abolition of the office of “Permanent Head” and its replacement by the office of “Secretary”, and the omission of references to the Divisional structure of the Australian Public Service consequent upon the abolition of Divisional structure.