Statutory Rules
1977 No. 99
REGULATIONS UNDER THE TRADE COMMISSIONERS ACT 1933.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933.
Dated this twenty-second day of June, 1977.
JOHN R. KERR
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
J. D. ANTHONY
Minister of State for Overseas Trade.
_________
Amendments of the Trade Commissioners Regulations†
Commencement.
1. These Regulations shall be deemed to have come into operation on 26 May 1977.
Salaries.
2. Regulation 5a of the Trade Commissioners Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (1) and substituting the following table:—
Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
Item | Designation | Annual salary or range of annual salary |
| | $ |
1.......... | Trade Commissioner (Special Grade)................ | 28,821 |
2.......... | Trade Commissioner, Grade A.................... | 26,537 |
3.......... | Trade Commissioner, Grade B.................... | 24,252 |
4.......... | Trade Commissioner, Grade C.................... | 20,062–20,717 |
5.......... | Assistant Trade Commissioner, Grade 1.............. | 17,440–18,091 |
6.......... | Assistant Trade Commissioner, Grade 2.............. | 13,275–13,716–14,154 |
7.......... | Assistant Trade Commissioner, Grade 3.............. | 11,962–12,288–12,616–12,944 |
* Notified in the Australian Government Gazette on 24 June 1977.
† Statutory Rules 1958, No. 52 as amended to date. For previous amendments of the Trade Commissioners Regulations see footnote † to Statutory Rules 1977, No. 7 and see also Statutory Rules 1977, Nos. 7, 47, 60, 71 and 72.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1977 No. 99, made under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933, was introduced to amend the existing Trade Commissioners Regulations. The Trade Commissioners Act 1933 was enacted to facilitate the establishment of trade commissioners to promote and protect Australian trade interests overseas. These regulations, which came into effect on 26 May 1977, were made by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The primary objective of these amendments is to update the salary structure for various grades of trade commissioners and assistant trade commissioners, reflecting changes in remuneration to ensure competitiveness and attractiveness of these positions within the Australian government’s overseas trade framework.
Scope and Application
The Trade Commissioners Regulations 1977, made under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933, primarily govern the remuneration of trade commissioners and assistant trade commissioners, specifically amending the salary structure for these roles. These regulations apply to individuals holding positions as trade commissioners and assistant trade commissioners, who are employed to promote and facilitate Australian trade abroad. Geographically, the application of these regulations is not limited to any specific region within Australia or abroad; rather, it extends to wherever trade commissioners and their assistants are deployed internationally to support Australian trade interests. The regulations do not specify any exclusions or exemptions but directly address the salaries of specified grades within the trade commissioner service, ensuring that the remuneration is clearly defined and updated as necessary. The application of these regulations can be further extended or detailed through subsequent amendments, as evidenced by the historical updates noted in the statutory rules.
Key Provisions
The Statutory Rules 1977 No. 99, made under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933, amend the Trade Commissioners Regulations (1958) by modifying the salary scales for Trade Commissioners and related positions. The Regulations came into effect on 26 May 1977, as per section 1. Section 2 specifically revises the salary table in Regulation 5a, setting new annual salaries or ranges for various grades of Trade Commissioners and Assistant Trade Commissioners. For instance, Trade Commissioners in the Special Grade will receive an annual salary of $28,821, while Grade A Trade Commissioners will earn between $26,537 and $24,252, depending on their specific role and responsibilities.
The Regulations impose obligations on Trade Commissioners and Assistant Trade Commissioners by clearly defining their remuneration. This not only formalises the compensation structure but also ensures transparency and consistency in salary distribution across different grades. These salary provisions help maintain a standardised framework for remuneration, reflecting the varying levels of expertise, experience, and responsibilities associated with each grade.
Failure to comply with these salary provisions could result in legal consequences. Although the Regulations do not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance, breaches of statutory obligations under the Trade Commissioners Act 1933 may lead to disciplinary actions or legal proceedings. Such breaches could potentially incur civil or criminal penalties, as stipulated by the overarching Act, which governs the roles and responsibilities of Trade Commissioners. It is essential for parties governed by these Regulations to adhere strictly to the stipulated salary scales to avoid any adverse legal implications.