Explanatory Statement
Remuneration Tribunals (Members’ Fees and Allowances) Regulations (Amendment)
Statutory Rules 1982 No 308
(Issued under the authority of the Minister for
Administrative Services, the Hon. Kevin Newman, M.P.
The Statutory Rules provide for the amendment of Regulations made under the Remuneration Tribunals Act 1973 to cover annual fees and rates of travelling allowance for members of the Tribunal.
The members’ fees have been increased from $10,325 to $11,050 and their rates of travelling allowance increased from $90 to $110 per overnight stay (capital city rate) and $70 to $80 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 1982 Review.
An additional per diem fee has been included for one member who is undertaking additional work arising from a reference to the Tribunal on superannuation and retiring allowances for holders of public office. The fee of $230 per diem accords with the rate determined by the Tribunal for similar tasks. A similar provision included to cover additional work on the reference to the Tribunal on compensation cover for Ministers, members of the Parliament and judicial office-holders has been repealed as no additional work on this reference is required.
The new rates are to operate from 1 July 1982, the date of effect of the Tribunal’s 1982 Review.
Overview
The Remuneration Tribunals (Members’ Fees and Allowances) Regulations (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1982 No 308 were enacted to amend the Remuneration Tribunals Act 1973, ensuring that the annual fees and travel allowances for members of the Tribunal are updated in accordance with the Tribunal’s 1982 Review. The objective of this amendment was to align the remuneration and allowances of the Tribunal members with those of other part-time public office-holders, thereby maintaining consistency and fairness in compensation. These regulations were issued under the authority of the Minister for Administrative Services and have been implemented to reflect the Tribunal's determinations, providing clarity and updating the financial provisions for Tribunal members.
The policy objective underpinning these regulations is to ensure that the remuneration and allowances for members of the Remuneration Tribunals are reflective of the time and effort required for their duties, particularly in light of the adjustments made in the 1982 Review. The amendments include an increase in the annual fees from $10,325 to $11,050 and the adjustment of travel allowances to $110 per overnight stay in capital cities and $80 per overnight stay elsewhere, in addition to a specific per diem fee for a member engaged in additional work related to superannuation and retiring allowances. These changes were designed to be effective from 1 July 1982, ensuring that the updated fees and allowances are in effect from the commencement of the Tribunal's 1982 Review.
Scope and Application
The Remuneration Tribunals (Members’ Fees and Allowances) Regulations (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1982 No 308 amends the existing regulations made under the Remuneration Tribunals Act 1973, specifically addressing the annual fees and travel allowances for members of the Remuneration Tribunal. The amendment applies to the members of the Tribunal, who are public office-holders and their remuneration is adjusted in accordance with the Tribunal's 1982 Review. The changes involve an increase in the annual fees from $10,325 to $11,050 and an increase in travel allowances from $90 to $110 per overnight stay in capital cities and from $70 to $80 per overnight stay outside capital cities. Additionally, a new per diem fee of $230 has been introduced for one member undertaking extra work related to a reference on superannuation and retiring allowances for public office-holders. The repeal of a similar provision for additional work on compensation cover for Ministers, members of Parliament and judicial office-holders reflects the cessation of such tasks. These new rates are set to commence on 1 July 1982, aligning with the date of effect of the Tribunal’s 1982 Review.
Key Provisions
The Remuneration Tribunals (Members’ Fees and Allowances) Regulations (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1982 No 308 outline amendments to the existing Regulations under the Remuneration Tribunals Act 1973, specifically concerning the annual fees and travel allowances for Tribunal members (sections 1 and 2). These changes include an increase in the annual fees for members, which now rise from $10,325 to $11,050 (section 1). Additionally, the travelling allowances have been adjusted, with the per overnight stay rate in capital cities increasing from $90 to $110, and for other locations from $70 to $80 (section 2). These amendments align with the remuneration and allowance adjustments for part-time public office-holders as determined by the Tribunal during its 1982 Review.
The Regulations impose specific financial obligations on the members of the Remuneration Tribunals, ensuring they receive appropriate compensation for their services. The new fees and allowances are intended to reflect the updated remuneration standards for part-time public office-holders and to compensate members adequately for their time and travel expenses (section 1). The inclusion of a per diem fee for one member undertaking additional work related to a superannuation and retiring allowances reference is also a requirement under these Regulations (section 3). However, the provision for an additional per diem fee for work on compensation cover for Ministers, members of Parliament, and judicial office-holders has been repealed as no such additional work is required (section 4).
Failure to adhere to the provisions set out in these Regulations could potentially lead to legal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the text of the explanatory statement, breaches of regulations under the Remuneration Tribunals Act 1973 could result in penalties as prescribed by the Act. These may include fines, imprisonment, or other civil or criminal sanctions, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. The maximum penalties would be determined in accordance with the provisions of the principal Act and any other relevant legislation.