Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1969 No. 147, titled "Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922-1968," was enacted to amend the Public Service Regulations, addressing specific administrative needs within the public service framework. These regulations were made by the Public Service Board, acting under the authority granted by the Public Service Act 1922-1968, and subsequently approved by the Governor-General, Sir Paul Meernaa Caedwalla Hasluck. The primary objective of these regulations was to ensure the smooth functioning and administration of public service operations by making necessary adjustments to various allowances, classifications, and conditions of service. The changes included adjustments to specific allowances and the reclassification of certain positions within the public service to better align with current operational requirements.

Scope and Application

The Public Service Regulations, 1969, made under the authority of the Public Service Act 1922-1968, apply to all officers of the Commonwealth public service, encompassing various entities and roles within the federal government. These regulations govern aspects such as the creation and constitution of the Council of Commonwealth Public Service Organisations, allowances for certain positions, and amendments to various pay scales for different classifications of public service roles. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulations include specific amendments to the rates of allowances and salaries for public service officers, and also stipulate certain exclusions such as positions affiliated only with a Division or Divisions of the Council of Commonwealth Public Service Organisations. The application of these regulations can be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which may introduce additional rules or clarifications as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922-1968, as amended, primarily involve the amendment and constitution of the Public Service Regulations. Regulation 1 amends Regulation 72b of the Public Service Regulations, changing the name of the "High Council of Commonwealth Public Service Organizations" to the "Council of Commonwealth Public Service Organisations" and clarifying that organizations affiliated only with a Division or Divisions of that Council are excluded. Regulation 2 amends Regulation 89a of the Public Service Regulations by increasing a specific allowance rate from $0.17 to $0.20. Further amendments are detailed in the schedules to the Regulations, which include adjustments to various pay scales and allowances for specific positions within the public service. These Regulations impose specific obligations on public service employees and the Public Service Board to ensure compliance with the updated pay scales and allowances. The amendments require adherence to the new structures and pay rates as specified in the schedules, ensuring that all affected positions are updated accordingly. The Regulations also mandate that the Public Service Board oversees the implementation of these amendments and ensures that the necessary administrative actions are taken to reflect the changes in the Public Service Regulations. Breach of these Regulations, by either the Public Service Board or the employees, may lead to administrative consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the Regulations themselves, non-compliance could result in disciplinary actions, adjustments to pay, or other corrective measures as deemed necessary by the Public Service Board. The amendments do not explicitly state penalties but imply that adherence to the new structures and pay rates is mandatory, with potential repercussions for non-compliance.