Trade Commissioners Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1977 No. 187, under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933, were enacted to amend the Trade Commissioners Regulations. These regulations, introduced by the Governor-General in the Commonwealth of Australia acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, provide for the administration and management of trade commissioners, ensuring they are appropriately compensated for their services. The policy objective is to update the salary structures for trade commissioners and assistant trade commissioners, reflecting the economic conditions and the responsibilities associated with each grade. The regulations came into effect on 1 September 1977 and were published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 October 1977. These amendments aim to align the remuneration with the roles' requirements and to ensure fair compensation within the trade commissioner framework.

Scope and Application

The Trade Commissioners Regulations, made under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933, apply to Trade Commissioners and other personnel employed under the Act, including those in special grades and various assistant trade commissioner positions. These Regulations primarily concern the remuneration of these positions, establishing a structured salary range for each grade and position. The Regulations have a national reach, as they are enacted at the Commonwealth level and thus apply across Australia. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions mentioned in these Regulations, but the scope of the application is limited to the specified salaries and grades of Trade Commissioners and Assistant Trade Commissioners. The application of these Regulations may be further extended or clarified by subordinate instruments, although such provisions are not explicitly detailed in the text provided. These Regulations were deemed to have come into operation on 1 September 1977, as stated in the document.

Key Provisions

These Regulations, effective from 1 September 1977, amend the Trade Commissioners Regulations under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933. Specifically, Regulation 5a is revised to update the salary table for various trade commissioner positions (Regulation 2). This adjustment reflects the new annual salaries for Trade Commissioners and Assistant Trade Commissioners across different grades. For instance, a Trade Commissioner in Special Grade 1 now earns $31,727 annually, whereas those in Grade C earn between $20,463 and $21,131 (Regulation 2, Column 1, Items 1-8). The amendments to the salary table impose obligations on the Trade Commissioner and the Commonwealth Government. The Trade Commissioner must adhere to the new salary structures, ensuring that payments are made in accordance with the updated rates. The Commonwealth Government, in turn, is obligated to ensure that these salaries are properly disbursed, reflecting the legislative changes. This includes maintaining accurate records and potentially adjusting payroll systems to reflect the new remuneration levels. Failure to comply with the amended salary provisions could lead to legal repercussions. While the Regulations themselves do not specify penalties for non-compliance, breaches of the Trade Commissioners Act 1933 or related legislative instruments may result in penalties under the Act. These can include fines and other civil or criminal penalties, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. The exact penalties would be determined by the relevant court or tribunal based on the specific circumstances of the case.