Public Works Committee Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Public Works Committee Regulations 1979 were made under the Public Works Committee Act 1969 by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. These regulations were designed to address the need for updated fee structures and to streamline payment processes within the framework of the Public Works Committee. The changes include amendments to the fees payable to assessors and the repeal of certain regulations to prevent double payments. The regulations were notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 July 1979, formalising their enactment and ensuring public awareness of the amendments.

Scope and Application

The Public Works Committee Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1979 No. 123, apply to the implementation and administration of the Public Works Committee Act 1969. These regulations govern the fees and expenses related to the assessors appointed under the Act, ensuring that the financial aspects of their work are clearly defined and updated. The regulations specifically affect those entities and persons engaged in activities overseen by the Public Works Committee, which typically includes government departments, contractors, and other stakeholders involved in public works projects. The scope of these regulations is national, as they pertain to the federal legislative framework established by the Commonwealth of Australia. Notably, these regulations do not explicitly state exclusions or thresholds, but they are intended to streamline the operational aspects of the Public Works Committee by providing a clear framework for financial matters. The application of these regulations is further extended and potentially restricted through any subordinate instruments or subsequent amendments made in accordance with the Public Works Committee Act 1969.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1979 No. 123, made under the Public Works Committee Act 1969, introduce several amendments to the Public Works Committee Regulations. The key operative sections of these regulations pertain to the adjustment of fees and expenses for assessors, the repeal of certain regulations, and the amendment of provisions to prevent double payments. Regulation 7 has been amended to adjust the fees for assessors, replacing the previous rates of $10.50 and $52.50 with new rates of $45 and $225 respectively (reg 2). Additionally, regulations 8 and 9 have been repealed entirely (reg 3). Regulation 11 has also been amended by removing sub-regulations (2) and (3), which likely pertained to preventing double payments (reg 11). These regulations impose specific obligations on parties involved in public works assessments. For instance, they mandate that assessors are to be compensated at the new rates stipulated in Regulation 7. The repeal of Regulations 8 and 9 may have implications for the process and documentation required in public works assessments, although the specific details of these repealed regulations are not provided. The amendment to Regulation 11 aims to refine the process further, presumably to ensure that entities involved in public works do not incur double payments. The regulations do not explicitly state any offences or penalties for breaches. However, the nature of the amendments suggests that non-compliance could lead to financial discrepancies and potential legal repercussions. For instance, if assessors are not compensated according to the new rates, this could result in disputes and possibly legal action. Similarly, failure to adhere to the amended provisions in Regulation 11 could lead to financial penalties or other consequences if double payments are made inadvertently. Although the exact penalties are not detailed in these regulations, they likely align with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 or other relevant legislation.