Public Service (Salaries) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1979 No. 272, enacted under the Public Service Act 1922, was introduced by the Public Service Board to address the need for updated salary regulations within the public service. This legislative instrument was approved by the Governor-General, Zelman Cowen, and published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 18 December 1979. The policy objective was to revise the existing Public Service (Salaries) Regulations by inserting new salary groups for specific roles within the Department of Transport, specifically for Aircraft Maintenance Records Inspectors and Production Inspectors. These amendments were made to ensure that the remuneration for these positions reflects their responsibilities and the current economic conditions, thereby maintaining fair compensation practices within the public sector.

Scope and Application

The regulation under the Public Service Act 1922 applies to the employees within the Commonwealth public service, specifically targeting the Department of Transport by introducing new salary groups for Aircraft Maintenance Records Inspectors and Production Inspectors. This regulation affects the individuals employed in these roles within the specified department, thereby impacting the remuneration structure for these positions. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is confined to the Commonwealth level, impacting public servants across Australia who are employed by the Commonwealth government. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, and it does not extend its application beyond the specified salary amendments through subordinate instruments. The regulation is approved by the Governor-General and was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 18 December 1979, making it legally binding and effective as of that date.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these Regulations involve amendments to the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations. Specifically, the Regulations add new salary groups for positions within the Department of Transport. Group 6a pertains to the Aircraft Maintenance Records Inspector, with a salary range from $13,976 to $15,087, and Group 255a pertains to the Production Inspector, also with a salary range from $13,976 to $15,087. These additions are made by inserting new groups after the existing Group 6 and Group 255 respectively. These Regulations impose specific obligations and requirements on the parties they govern. The Public Service Board, acting under the authority of the Public Service Act 1922, has made these amendments to ensure that the salary structures for these new positions are accurately defined and implemented. The Department of Transport must now adhere to the specified salary scales for the Aircraft Maintenance Records Inspector and the Production Inspector, ensuring that remuneration is consistent with the newly established groups. The Governor-General’s approval further enforces these salary provisions, making them legally binding. Any breach of these Regulations could have consequences under the Public Service Act 1922. While the specific penalties are not outlined within these Regulations, the Act generally provides for both civil and criminal sanctions. For instance, the Act could mandate fines or other penalties for non-compliance with salary provisions, and in more severe cases, it may involve criminal charges. The precise penalties would depend on the nature and extent of the breach, but they could include substantial financial penalties or even imprisonment in cases of serious misconduct or fraud.