Public Service (Salaries) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1979 No. 171, enacted under the Public Service Act 1922, was introduced to address the need for updating the salary scales for certain public service positions, specifically custodial officers. The Public Service Board, acting with the authority conferred by the Public Service Act 1922, made these regulations subject to the approval of the Governor-General. The policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that the remuneration for custodial officers within the public service reflects fair and updated compensation standards, thereby maintaining an efficient and motivated workforce. The regulations were approved by the Governor-General, Zelman Cowen, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and were subsequently notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 31 August 1979.

Scope and Application

The Regulation made under the Public Service Act 1922 pertains specifically to the amendment of the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations, which affects the remuneration of certain public service employees. The regulation, approved by the Governor-General and dated 23 August 1979, updates the salary scales for Custodial Officers across different grades within Group 64. This legislative instrument applies to public servants classified as Custodial Officers in the Commonwealth public service, impacting their salaries and entitlements directly. The regulation is a Commonwealth instrument, thereby extending its jurisdictional reach across the entire nation. Notably, the regulation does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, implying its applicability to all relevant employees unless otherwise stipulated in subordinate instruments or specific legislation. The amendment is part of a broader set of regulations and statutory rules that together govern the public service sector in Australia, with the potential for further modifications through additional subordinate legislation.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules 1979 No. 171 involve amendments to the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations. Specifically, Part I of Schedule 3 is amended to replace Group 64 with new salary brackets for various grades of Custodial Officers. Under this amendment, Custodial Officers, Grade 1, are now paid between $10,320 and $11,187; Grade 2 between $12,491 and $13,811; Grade 3 between $14,954 and $15,397; and Grade 4 between $16,063 and $16,631. These changes are intended to reflect updated remuneration structures for these roles within the public service. The obligations imposed by this regulation primarily concern the Public Service Board and the relevant departments within the public service. The Board, under the authority of the Public Service Act 1922, is tasked with implementing these salary changes to ensure that Custodial Officers receive appropriate compensation. The departments must adhere to the new salary brackets when determining pay for their employees, ensuring that all remuneration is aligned with the updated regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations could lead to various consequences. While the specific legal ramifications are not detailed in the text, it is implied that non-compliance with statutory regulations governing public service salaries could result in disciplinary actions, financial penalties, or other administrative consequences. Typically, such breaches might be subject to review by relevant authorities, and in severe cases, could lead to criminal charges for willful disregard of public service regulations. The exact penalties would depend on the specific nature of the breach and the jurisdiction under which it is being addressed.