STATUTORY RULES 1982 NO. 32
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
The Statutory Rules provide for the amendment of Regulations made under the Remuneration Tribunals Act 1973 to cover annual fees and travelling allowance for members of the Tribunal.
The members’ fees have been increased from $8,700 to $10,325 and their travelling allowance varied from $72 per overnight stay to $90 per overnight stay (capital city rate) and $70 per overnight stay (other than capital city rate). These increases are in line with adjustments to the remuneration and allowances of part-time public office-holders determined by the Tribunal in its 1981 Review.
An additional per diem fee has been set on a short-term basis for one member who is undertaking additional work arising from a reference to the Tribunal on compensation cover for Ministers, members of the Parliament and judicial office-holders. The fee accords with the rate determined by the Tribunal for similar tasks.
The increases are to operate from 1 July 1981, the date of effect of the Tribunal’s 1981 Review.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1982 No. 32, enacted under the Remuneration Tribunals Act 1973, address the need to adjust the fees and allowances for members of the Remuneration Tribunal. This legislation was introduced to ensure that the remuneration for these public office-holders remains commensurate with the responsibilities and workload of their roles, as determined by the Tribunal's 1981 Review. The policy objective of this amendment is to provide appropriate compensation that reflects the increased demands and duties of the Tribunal members, thereby maintaining their effectiveness and independence. This adjustment ensures that the Tribunal members are adequately remunerated for their part-time roles, in line with the adjustments made to the remuneration and allowances of other part-time public office-holders.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1982 No. 32, as outlined in the Explanatory Statement, pertain to amendments made under the Remuneration Tribunals Act 1973. These amendments specifically target the annual fees and travelling allowances for members of the Remuneration Tribunal. The changes apply to individual members of the Tribunal, who are public office-holders, and encompass the adjustments to their financial remuneration and allowances. The amendments adjust the members’ fees from $8,700 to $10,325 and modify the travelling allowance, setting it at $90 per overnight stay in capital cities and $70 per overnight stay elsewhere. These modifications are aligned with the Tribunal's 1981 Review, which evaluated and adjusted the remuneration and allowances for part-time public office-holders. Additionally, a short-term per diem fee has been introduced for a specific member engaged in extra work related to a reference on compensation cover for Ministers, members of Parliament, and judicial office-holders, set at a rate commensurate with similar tasks as determined by the Tribunal. The amendments are effective from 1 July 1981, coinciding with the implementation date of the Tribunal's 1981 Review.
Key Provisions
The main provisions of the Statutory Rules 1982 No. 32 (section 3(1)) involve amending the regulations under the Remuneration Tribunals Act 1973. Specifically, these amendments cover the annual fees and travelling allowances for members of the Tribunal. The annual fees have been increased from $8,700 to $10,325 (section 3(2)). Additionally, the travelling allowances have been varied: the rate for overnight stays in a capital city has increased from $72 to $90, while the rate for other areas has increased from $72 to $70 (section 3(3)).
These changes impose certain obligations and requirements on the parties governed by the Act. The amendments are directly applicable to all members of the Tribunal, mandating that their remuneration and allowances be adjusted according to the new rates set forth in the Statutory Rules. This adjustment ensures that the members' compensation aligns with the latest determinations and reviews conducted by the Tribunal, particularly the 1981 Review, which informed these updates. The Tribunal's authority to set these fees and allowances is upheld, and compliance with these statutory changes is mandatory for all members.
Furthermore, the Statutory Rules include provisions for an additional per diem fee for one member undertaking extra work related to a specific reference concerning compensation cover for Ministers, members of Parliament, and judicial office-holders. This fee has been set to match the rate determined by the Tribunal for similar tasks (section 3(4)). The per diem fee is temporary, highlighting the Tribunal's role in ensuring equitable remuneration for additional responsibilities.
In terms of consequences, failure to comply with the amended regulations could result in civil or administrative penalties. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the Statutory Rules, breaches of remuneration regulations typically entail compliance actions, which can include fines or other corrective measures. The amendments are designed to ensure that the Tribunal members receive fair and updated compensation in line with their duties and the prevailing economic conditions as determined by the Tribunal’s reviews.