Public Service (Salaries) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1972 No. 0013, under the Public Service Act 1922–1968, was enacted to amend the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations. These regulations were made by the Public Service Board, subject to the approval of the Governor-General, to adjust the salary rates for certain officers within specific divisions of the public service. The problem this legislation aimed to address was the need to align the salaries of certain officers with the rates applicable to other officers in different divisions, ensuring equitable compensation within the public service. The amendments were approved by the Governor-General, Paul Hasluck, on 24 January 1972, and involved changes to the Third Schedule to the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations, including the addition of new groups and salary rates for specified positions.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1972 No. 135 under the Public Service Act 1922–1968, enacted by the Public Service Board, concern amendments to the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations, particularly the adjustment of salary rates for certain officers within the public service. The regulations specifically apply to officers within the Third Division, realigning their salary rates to correspond with those applicable to officers in the Fourth Division. These amendments pertain to specific roles such as Assistant Conservator, Conservator, Inspector—Department of Education and Science, Printing Supervisor—Department of Supply, and Superintendent (Vertical Transportation)—Department of Works Victoria. The regulations, once approved by the Governor-General and notified in the Commonwealth Gazette, are applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting the remuneration structures within the specified public service divisions. The regulations do not explicitly outline exclusions or exemptions, but their application is limited to the roles and divisions specified in the amendments. The scope of the legislation is further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as needed to ensure compliance with the overarching Public Service Act 1922–1968.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922–1968 primarily involve amendments to the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations. Specifically, Regulation 1(a) amends Regulation 7 by adding "Assistant Conservator" after "Airways Telecommunications Officer, Grade 4," Regulation 1(b) adds "Conservator" after "Communications Officer," and Regulation 1(c) adds "Superintendent (Vertical Transportation)" after "Superintendent (Electrical Design)." These amendments are further detailed in the Third Schedule, which modifies Part I of the Third Schedule to the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations. The Third Schedule introduces new salary groups, including Group 64a for "Assistant Conservator" and "Conservator," Group 139 for "Inspector—Department of Education and Science," and Group 244a for "Printing Supervisor—Department of Supply, Victoria," along with Group 283a for "Superintendent (Vertical Transportation)—Department of Works Victoria." These new groups define specific salary ranges for the respective positions. The Regulations impose obligations on the Public Service Board to ensure that the amended salary rates are accurately reflected in the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations. This involves updating the existing salary groups and inserting new groups as specified. These amendments aim to standardise and formalise the salary structures for certain public service positions, ensuring consistency and fairness in remuneration across the public service. There are no explicit provisions in the Regulations that outline offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance. However, the Public Service Act 1922–1968 under which these Regulations are made likely provides for general compliance and enforcement mechanisms. Failure to adhere to the salary regulations could potentially lead to administrative or legal repercussions under the broader legislative framework of the Public Service Act. The exact penalties for non-compliance would be determined by the specific provisions of that Act and any related legislation or regulations.