EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1982 NO 96
PUBLIC SERVICE (SALARIES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
Issued with the Authority of the Public Service Board
Sub-section 97(1) of the Public Service Act 1922 provides that the Public Service Board may, with the approval of the Governor-General, make regulations prescribing all matters which are required to be prescribed for giving effect to that Act. Sub-section 30(2) provides that officers of the Second, Third and Fourth Divisions shall be paid salaries at such rates, or in accordance with such scales of rates, as are prescribed.
These Statutory Rules amend the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations to enable junior rates of salary and allowance to apply to the designation Museum Assistant 1. They also introduce the new designations Curatorial Assistant 2, Museum Assistant 2, Field Service Representative and the new designation group Mint Tradesman Grades 1-4.
Following a review by the Public Service Board of the work of Curators, it was found that the existing structure did not adequately reflect working arrangements at the lower levels. The work of positions in this group involves the care and documentation of the national museum collections. The Board has also reviewed the work of those assisting professional staff in Commonwealth museums on such functions as conservation, registration, education and exhibitions. The new Museum Assistant structure recognises the special skills required for this work and provides a career structure in an area in which opportunities would otherwise have been very limited. The four level structure has been designed to provide greater staffing flexibility in museums.
Determination No 51 of 1982, issued on 20 January 1982, provided a wage margin for trades-qualified staff at the Mint over those staff within the Mint Craftsman structure who are not trades-qualified. The new designation group of Mint Tradesman will be used for trades staff. The incorporation of the salary rates for Mint Tradesmen into the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations enables permanent positions of Mint Tradesman to be provided.
The new designation of Field Service Representative is required to facilitate appointments at an appropriate salary for officers providing technical advice and a problem-solving service to buyers of aircraft produced by the Government Aircraft Factory, ie to be manufacturer’s representatives. Previously the designation of Inspector (Aircraft) had been used, buy on review by the Public Service Board, it was found that both the designation and salary were inappropriate for the duties.