Trade Commissioners Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1973 No. 52, made under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933-1936, addresses the need to adjust the travelling allowance rates for Trade Commissioners and Assistant Trade Commissioners in Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General in the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations aim to update the compensation for travel expenses incurred by Trade Commissioners. The policy objective is to ensure that the travelling allowances are reflective of the current economic conditions, providing fair remuneration for their duties. This legislative instrument is a response to the evolving nature of trade and the associated costs, aiming to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of the trade commissioner system.

Scope and Application

The Trade Commissioners Regulations 1973, made under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933-1936, pertain to the allowances for travelling expenses applicable to Trade Commissioners within Australia. These regulations apply to specific categories of Trade Commissioners, namely those classified as Assistant Trade Commissioners, Trade Commissioner Grade C, Trade Commissioner Grade B, and Trade Commissioner Grade A. The regulations establish the rates of daily travelling allowances, which are set at $17.65 for Assistant Trade Commissioners and Grade C Trade Commissioners, and $25 for Grade B and Grade A Trade Commissioners. The updated allowance rates are effective from the 24th day of January 1972 onwards. While these regulations specifically address the financial aspect of travel for designated Trade Commissioners, they do not explicitly extend or restrict their application through subordinate instruments, and no exclusions or exemptions are mentioned within the text.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933-1936 (C1973L00052) primarily amend the rates of travelling allowance for Trade Commissioners within Australia. Specifically, Regulation 6 is altered to reflect new rates applicable to different classifications of Trade Commissioners. Under the amended Regulation 6(1)(a), an Assistant Trade Commissioner and a Trade Commissioner Grade C will receive a travelling allowance of Seventeen dollars sixty-five cents per day, whereas Trade Commissioner Grades B and A will receive Twenty-five dollars per day (Regulation 6(1)(b)). This amendment applies to travelling allowances paid or payable from the twenty-fourth day of January, 1972, onwards (Regulation 2). These Regulations impose clear financial obligations on the Commonwealth regarding the remuneration of Trade Commissioners. By specifying the rates of allowance, the Regulations ensure that Trade Commissioners receive a standardised compensation for travel expenses incurred during their duties. The updated rates reflect the varying responsibilities and classifications within the Trade Commissioner hierarchy, ensuring equitable treatment across different roles. Breaches of these Regulations may not explicitly state offences or penalties within the legislative instrument itself. However, under the overarching Trade Commissioners Act 1933-1936, non-compliance with the specified allowances could lead to administrative actions, including investigations and possible enforcement measures. While specific penalties are not detailed in these Regulations, any contravention of the Act could potentially result in legal consequences as prescribed by the broader legislative framework.