Trade Commissioners Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1979 No. 165, the Trade Commissioners Regulations, were made under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933 and came into operation on 5 July 1979. The Regulations were introduced to amend the existing Trade Commissioners Regulations, specifically updating the salary table for various positions within the Trade Commissioner service. Enacted by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, the policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that the remuneration for Trade Commissioners and their assistants is appropriately aligned with their respective roles and responsibilities. The regulations reflect the need to provide competitive salaries to attract and retain skilled personnel in the trade and resources sector.

Scope and Application

The Trade Commissioners Regulations 1979, made under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933, pertain to the salaries of trade commissioners and their assistants, establishing a clear framework for remuneration based on their respective grades and levels of responsibility. These regulations apply to trade commissioners and assistant trade commissioners appointed under the Act, impacting the Commonwealth of Australia and potentially extending to overseas posts where Australian trade commissioners are stationed. The amendments specifically address the salary structure for different grades, thereby ensuring that remuneration is consistent with the responsibilities and seniority within the trade commissioner service. These regulations do not specify exclusions or exemptions but are comprehensive in defining the salary scales, thereby governing the financial compensation of these officials throughout their service. The application of these regulations is further extended or refined through subordinate instruments, which may include additional amendments or clarifications as necessary to address evolving circumstances or requirements within the trade commissioner service.

Key Provisions

The Trade Commissioners Regulations 1979, made under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933, provide specific details concerning the salaries of trade commissioners and related roles. Regulation 5A, as amended, outlines the annual salaries for various designations within the trade commissioner hierarchy (Reg 2). This includes Trade Commissioners of Special Grade 1 and 2, Trade Commissioners Grades A, B, and C, and Assistant Trade Commissioners Grades 1 to 3, each with a defined salary or salary range. These regulations impose clear obligations on the parties involved, particularly regarding the remuneration of trade commissioners and assistant trade commissioners. The specified salaries must be adhered to for each grade, ensuring that compensation is consistent with the outlined scales (Reg 2). This helps maintain fairness and transparency in the payment structure within the Trade Commissioner roles. Breaches of these regulations, while not explicitly detailed in the provided text, could potentially lead to legal consequences. Typically, non-compliance with statutory regulations might result in administrative penalties, fines, or legal action to enforce adherence to the prescribed salary structures. The exact consequences would depend on the specific nature of the breach and the applicable legal frameworks at the time of the offence.