Public Works Committee Regulations 1953 (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1960 No. 67, titled "Regulations Under the Public Works Committee Act 1913-1960," was enacted by the Governor-General in the Federal Executive Council on 30 August 1960. This legislative instrument was designed to address and amend the prescribed allowances for travel and residence of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and members of the Public Works Committee under the Public Works Committee Regulations. These amendments were made to provide more specific guidelines and limitations on the allowances payable for travel and residence, ensuring they are given only when necessary and within set parameters. The primary objective of these regulations was to regulate and provide clarity regarding the allowances for travel and residence, thereby ensuring that the allowances are provided in an efficient and controlled manner.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Public Works Committee Act 1913-1960, which are detailed in Statutory Rules 1960, No. 67, pertain to the amendments of the Public Works Committee Regulations. These regulations primarily govern the allowances for travel for the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and members of the Public Works Committee, including the circumstances under which such allowances are payable and the rates at which they are calculated. The scope of these regulations applies specifically to the members of the Public Works Committee and their travel-related expenses, particularly in relation to travel to and from Canberra. The regulations also set out specific conditions and limitations on when and for how long these allowances can be claimed, such as restrictions on the duration of travel allowance for journeys to or from Canberra and the prohibition of allowance for parts of days on which travel starts or ends outside specified hours. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, given that they relate to travel involving Canberra, which is the capital city of Australia, and thus impact on the administrative operations of the Commonwealth government. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the provided text, and the regulations extend their application through the subordinate instrument, which modifies the existing Public Works Committee Regulations.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules of 1960, No. 67, amend the Public Works Committee Regulations under the Public Works Committee Act 1913-1960. Regulation 6 is amended to modify the travelling allowances payable to the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, or members of the Committee. Specifically, sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (c) of sub-regulation (1) is revised to provide a daily allowance of Four pounds for travel to or from Canberra, and Four pounds four shillings for other travel. Sub-regulation (3) is also amended to specify that a travelling allowance of One pound is payable for travel to or from Canberra, and One pound one shilling for other travel, instead of the previous rates. Additionally, new sub-regulations (5) to (8) are introduced, stipulating conditions under which travelling allowance is not payable. For instance, allowance is not payable if the individual is not required to be absent overnight, or if they leave their ordinary residence after 8 PM or arrive before 8 AM. These regulations impose specific conditions and limitations on the payment of travelling allowances to the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, or members of the Committee. Notably, the allowance is not payable unless the individual is required to be absent overnight from their ordinary residence. Furthermore, allowance is not payable for any part of a day if the individual leaves their ordinary residence after 8 PM or arrives before 8 AM. The maximum period for which travelling allowance is payable for travel to or from Canberra is limited to two days, although this does not affect allowances for residence in Canberra. Non-compliance with the provisions of these regulations may lead to civil or criminal consequences, although specific penalties are not detailed in the document. Generally, under Australian law, breaches of statutory requirements can result in penalties such as fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity and nature of the breach. For instance, failure to adhere to regulations governing allowances could be subject to fines or other administrative penalties, while more serious breaches might result in criminal charges. However, the exact penalties are not outlined in the provided text, and would need to be referred to in the relevant sections of the Public Works Committee Act 1913-1960 or other applicable laws.