EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1982 NO 61
PUBLIC SERVICE REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
Issued with the Authority of the Public Service Board
Sub-section 82(2) of the Public Service Act 1922 provides for the Public Service Board to select, in such manner as is prescribed, from the register of applicants for temporary employment such persons who are available as appear to be best qualified for the work.
Sub-section 97(1) of the Public Service Act 1922 provides in part:
‘(1) The Board may, with the approval of the Governor-General, make regulations ….
(1) for prescribing the form of register of applicants for temporary employment, and the mode in which it shall be kept, and the mode of selecting persons therefrom …’
The statutory rules replace former Public Service regulations 121 to 136A dealing with temporary employment.
New regulation 121 provides definitions of ‘applicant’ and ‘register’.
New regulation 122 provides that the register shall consist of applications for temporary employment made in such form as the Board from time to time directs and that it shall consist of such parts and be kept at such places as are determined by the Board.
New regulation 123 provides that in selecting persons for temporary employment the Board shall consider a number of factors concerning the temporary employment and the applicant. The regulation provides for preference to be given to ex-servicemen in cases when 2 or more applicants are otherwise equally suited for temporary employment.
New regulation 124 provides for the removal of applications from the register in certain circumstances.
New regulation 125 relates to the general obligations of employees and is identical to repealed regulation 136A.
These amendments follow a comprehensive review by the Board of the processes by which temporary employees are selected. They retain the essential elements to protect the impartiality and integrity of arrangements for the recruitment of temporary staff and provide a more appropriate basis for the selection of such staff in current circumstances.