STATUTORY RULES.
1907. No. 7.
PROVISIONAL TREASURY REGULATIONS UNDER THE AUDIT ACTS 1901–1906.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that, on account of urgency, the following amendments of the Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901 should come into immediate operation, and make the Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.
Dated this twenty-second day of January, One thousand nine hundred and seven.
NORTHCOTE,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s command,
JOHN FORREST,
Treasurer.
Paying Officers.
Repeal Clause 96d, and substitute the following in lieu thereof, viz.:—
96d. To the holder of Form 24 or 25. An order for payment of salaries shall not be recognised unless approved in writing on the order by the Permanent Head or Chief Officer, or, in the case of an officer not stationed at Headquarters, the Senior Officer at the station. Unless otherwise directed by the Treasurer, such approval shall be given only when, in consequence of leave or absence on duty, the officer cannot draw his pay in person.
Miscellaneous.
Amend Clause 145 by inserting after the word “promotions,” in the second line, the words “except promotions within a class or grade.”
By Authority: J. Kemp, Acting Government Printer, Melbourne.
C.3098.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1907 No. 7, titled "Provisional Treasury Regulations under the Audit Acts 1901-1906," were enacted as a matter of urgency by the Governor-General, with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to address immediate operational needs arising from the Audit Act 1901. The legislation sought to rectify issues with the recognition of payment orders for salaries by requiring written approval from a Permanent Head, Chief Officer, or a Senior Officer at the station in cases where officers were unable to draw their pay due to leave or duty absence. Additionally, it introduced an amendment to Clause 145, excluding certain promotions within a class or grade from the purview of the regulations. The policy objective was to ensure proper oversight and control over the issuance and approval of salary payments, thereby maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the federal treasury operations.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Treasury Regulations under the Audit Acts 1901–1906 apply to all officers within the Commonwealth who are involved in the payment of salaries and promotions, with a specific focus on those who cannot personally draw their pay due to leave or absence on duty. These regulations govern the approval processes for payment orders and delineate the authority required for such approvals, which include the Permanent Head, Chief Officer, or the Senior Officer at the station for those officers not stationed at headquarters. This regulatory framework ensures that salary payments are processed correctly and efficiently while maintaining oversight and control over financial transactions within the Commonwealth. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, applying across the entire Commonwealth of Australia. The regulations also extend their application through subordinate instruments, which may further specify procedural details or operational standards for the implementation of these provisions. Certain exclusions and specific conditions, such as the approval requirements for promotions within a class or grade, are also outlined within the regulations to ensure clarity and adherence to the established financial protocols.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Provisional Treasury Regulations under the Audit Act 1901 involve specific provisions related to the recognition of payment orders for salaries (section 96d) and an amendment to clause 145 regarding promotions within a class or grade. Section 96d specifies that an order for the payment of salaries will only be recognised if it is approved in writing by the Permanent Head or Chief Officer, or by the Senior Officer at the station if the officer is not stationed at headquarters. This approval is required when the officer cannot draw their pay in person due to leave or absence on duty, unless otherwise directed by the Treasurer. The amendment to clause 145 clarifies that certain exceptions apply to promotions within a class or grade, indicating a more detailed oversight for such promotions.
These regulations impose specific obligations on the parties involved, including the requirement for written approval from the Permanent Head, Chief Officer, or Senior Officer for salary payment orders under certain conditions. The officials must ensure that the orders are only approved when necessary, reflecting a control measure over the payment processes to prevent unauthorized or erroneous payments. Additionally, the amendment to clause 145 highlights the need for careful consideration and documentation of promotions within a class or grade, indicating a more stringent review process for these types of promotions compared to others.
Breaches of these regulations could result in significant consequences. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, it is implied that failure to comply with the stipulated approval processes could lead to unauthorised payments or improper promotions, which may result in disciplinary actions or other legal repercussions. The regulations' urgency and immediate operation suggest the importance of adherence to these provisions to maintain financial integrity and orderly administrative processes within the Commonwealth of Australia.