REGULATIONS UNDER THE AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS’ REPATRIATION ACT 1920.
I, SIR WILLIAM HILL IRVINE, the Deputy of the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1920, to come into operation as from 1st July, 1920.
Dated this first day of September, 1920.
W. H. IRVINE,
Deputy of the Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
E. D. MILLEN,
Minister of State for Repatriation.
———
REPATRIATION (STAFF) REGULATIONS.
Part I.—Preliminary.
Short title.
These Regulations may be cited as the Repatriation (Staff) Regulations.
Parts.
These Regulations are divided into parts as follows:—
Part I.—Preliminary.
Part II.—Functions of Officers.
Part III.—Duties of Officers.
Part IV.—Leave, and Holidays.
Part V.—Temporary Officers.
Part VI.—Appointments.
Part VII.—Transfers.
Part VIII.—Classifications and Salaries.
Part IX.—Allowances.
Part X.—Miscellaneous.
Definitions.
In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—
“Chief Clerk” means a Chief Clerk appointed under the Act.
“Commission” means the Repatriation Commission appointed under the Act.
“Departmental Medical Officer” means the Senior Medical Officer of the Branch Office in the State appointed under the Act.
“Deputy-Commissioner” means a Deputy-Commissioner of Repatriation appointed under the Act.
“General Orders” means General Orders issued by the Commission.
“Officer,” “Clerk,” “Employee,” or “Assistant” means an officer, clerk, employee, or assistant appointed under the Act.
“Regulations” means regulations made under the Act.
“Rulings” means rulings made by the Repatriation Commission.
“Secretary” means the officer appointed as Secretary to the Commission under the Act.
“The Act” means the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act 1920.
“The Department” means the Department of Repatriation.
Part II.—Functions of Officers.
Responsibility of Commission to Minister.
4. (a) The Commission shall be responsible to the Minister for the general working of the Department and for all the administrative business thereof.
(b) Any power or authority vested in a Deputy-Commissioner by these Orders shall be exercisable by the Commission.
Responsibility of Deputy-Commissioner to Commission.
5. (a) A Deputy-Commissioner shall be responsible to the Commission for the proper and efficient working of the Branch Office in his State, and for all the administrative business thereof.
(b) Any power or authority vested in a Deputy-Commissioner under these Regulations shall be exercisable by the Secretary to the Commission as regards the administration of the Head-Quarters staff.
Breaches of orders.
6. A Deputy-Commissioner shall not—
(a) condone any breach of the Act, Regulations, Rulings, or General Orders, or any instructions issued by the Commission; or
(b) except in cases of extreme urgency, in which event he shall report the matter immediately to the Commission, vary any instructions from the Commission.
Officers to be given written instructions.
7. A Deputy-Commissioner shall insure that—
(a) each officer is supplied with written instructions as to his duties, and that a copy of these instructions, signed by the officer concerned, is filed in his office;
(b) a copy of all instructions from the Commission is issued to each officer affected by them; and
(c) an officer resuming duty after absence on leave or on official business shall acquaint himself with all new Regulations, Rulings, Orders, or other instructions issued during his absence.
Returns and reports.
8. A Deputy-Commissioner shall supply to the Commission such returns and reports, or other information as the Commission requires.
Annual report on staff.
9. On the first day of April of each year the Deputy-Commissioner shall furnish to the Commission a return showing the names of the officers under his control, arranged according to numerical sequence of the classification list; the offices they hold, specifying Division, Class, and subdivision of Class or Grade; the salaries; an accurate description in moderate detail of the duties performed by each officer, the date of his birth, and the date of his appointment to the service; and what alterations, if any, are in his opinion necessary in the salaries of any officers under his control. Where a position is vacant it will be indicated on the Return opposite the number allotted to that position.
Amendments of system, &c.
10. A Deputy-Commissioner shall report to the Commission whenever necessity arises what alterations are in his opinion necessary or expedient for the more economic, efficient, or convenient working of his Branch, or any section thereof, and shall also bring under the attention of the Commission any matter, whether in relation to any officer, or to the work of any section of his Branch, with which he may think it desirable for the Commission to be acquainted.
Death or resignation of officer.
11. A Deputy-Commissioner shall immediately report to the Commission the death or resignation of any officer.
Creation, abolition, and reclassification of offices.
12. A Deputy-Commissioner shall report to the Commission whenever it is deemed advisable—
(a) to create new offices in any Division in the Branch under his control;
(b) to abolish any offices in his Branch; and
(c) to raise or lower the classification or grade of any office, the duties of which have materially changed.
Excess officers.
13. Whenever a Deputy-Commissioner finds that the number of officers under his control is greater than is required to perform the current work of the Department, he shall forthwith report the circumstances to the Commission.
Press comments.
14. A Deputy-Commissioner shall forward to the Commission, with such comment or explanation as will afford full information of the facts, copies of all complaints, criticisms, or comments on the Department’s administration appearing in the press.
Legal decisions.
15. A Deputy-Commissioner shall forward to the Commission, with such comments and remarks as he considers necessary, all reports of legal proceedings and judicial decisions affecting the powers and rights of the Department.
Legal advice.
16. Except in cases specified by the Commission the Deputy-Commissioner shall refer all questions of law and of interpretation of the Act and Regulations to the Commission.
Functions of Officers in charge of Sections or Sub-branches.
17.—(1) Officers in charge of Sections or Sub-branches of the Department shall be accountable to the Deputy-Commissioner for the proper and efficient working of their Sections or Sub-branches, and shall afford him their utmost aid and support.
(2) They shall report in writing to the Deputy-Commissioner—
(a) when they consider that a reduction of their staffs can be made through reduction in the amount of work or the re-arrangement of duties; and
(b) any breaches of the Act, Regulations, or other official instructions that come to their knowledge.
(3) They shall cause each officer in their Sections or Sub-branches to be supplied with written detailed instructions as to his duties, and insure that each officer always has at hand an up-to-date copy of those instructions for his information and guidance.
Functions of Clerks in charge of Sub-sections.
18.—(1) Clerks in charge of Sub-sections shall be accountable to the Officer in charge of the Section for the proper and efficient working of their Sub-sections and shall afford him their utmost aid and support.
(2) They shall report in writing to the Officer in charge—
(a) when they consider that a reduction of staff can be made in their Sub-sections, through reduction in the amount of work or re-arrangement of duties; and
(b) any breaches of the Act, Regulations, or other official instructions that come to their knowledge.
Part III.—Duties of Officers.
Knowledge of Act, Regulations, &c.
19. All officers shall acquaint themselves with, the Act and Regulations, Rulings and Orders, and decisions and instructions issued in connexion therewith.
Attention and devotion to duty.
20. All officers shall, during the hours of business, devote themselves, exclusively and zealously to the discharge of their public duties, and shall behave at all times with courtesy to the public, giving prompt attention to all reasonable requirements.
Subordination of officers.
21. Every officer shall obey promptly all instructions given him by the officer under whose immediate control or supervision he is placed. If any officer has cause for complaint arising out of those instructions, or from any other cause whatsoever, he may appeal in regard thereto through his Officer in charge, who shall forward the appeal forthwith through the Chief Clerk to, the Deputy-Commissioner; but he shall, nevertheless, as far as possible carry out any instructions which may be given to him until they are countermanded by a competent authority.
Performance of duties.
22. Every officer shall promptly and correctly carry out all duties appertaining to his office, and shall in due course, and at proper times, comply with and give effect to all enactments, Regulations, and authoritative instructions made or issued for his guidance in the performance of his duties.
Diary.
23. Unless otherwise ordered by the Deputy-Commissioner, every officer not immediately under supervision shall keep a diary showing the daily duties performed by him and the time occupied therein, and shall, when required to do so, furnish a copy of this diary to the officer under whose authority he is placed.
Officers not to publicly comment on administration.
24. Officers shall not—
(a) publicly comment on the administration of the Department; or
(b) use for any purpose other than the discharge of their official duties any information gained by or conveyed to them through their connexion with the Department.
Information to be secret.
25. (a) Except in the course of official duty, no communication concerning public business or any other matter of which the officer has knowledge officially, shall be given, directly or indirectly, by an officer without the express direction or permission of the Deputy-Commissioner.
(b) The Deputy-Commissioner shall immediately suspend any officer charged with committing a breach of this regulation.
(c) Officers shall sign a declaration of secrecy with regard to information received by them in their official capacity.
Outside Influence.
28. Officers shall not seek the influence or interest of any person outside the Department in order to obtain promotion, removal, or other advantage. Any officer who considers that his claim for promotion or consideration has, been overlooked may communicate with the Commission in the manner prescribed by the next succeeding regulation.
Communications to Commission.
27. All official communications intended for the Commission shall be forwarded by the Officer in charge of the Section or Branch through the Chief Clerk to the Deputy-Commissioner, who shall forward them to the Commission with such comment as he deems necessary.
Communication to Deputy Commissioner.
28. All communications intended for the Deputy-Commissioner shall be forwarded through the Officer in charge of the Section or Branch to the Chief Clerk, who will forward same to the Deputy-Commissioner with such comment as he deems necessary.
Giving of testimonials.
No officer other than the Deputy-Commissioner shall give a reference or testimonial to an officer or ex-officer of the Department as to the manner in which he performed his departmental duties.
Gratuities.
30. (a) An officer shall not receive any fee, reward, gratuity, or remuneration of any kind whatsoever other than his official salary and allowance for services performed by him in connexion with the Department.
(b) The Deputy-Commissioner shall immediately suspend any officer charged with committing a breach of this regulation.
Care of property.
31. All officers shall be held responsible for the careful use and preservation of all departmental property in their possession, custody, or care.
Borrowing or lending money.
32. An officer shall not borrow money from a subordinate.
Office hours.
33. Except as otherwise ordered by the Commission, the Department’s offices shall be open to the public for the transaction of business from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays inclusive, and from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays.
Hours of attendance.
34. The hours of attendance of officers not subject to special Regulations or departmental arrangements in that behalf, or not specially exempted by the Deputy-Commissioner, shall be from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays inclusive, and from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays.
Attendance book.
35. An attendance book shall be kept, and the Chief Clerk will be responsible to the Deputy-Commissioner for the proper keeping of the book and the observance by officers of the regulation office hours.
Officers to sign attendance book.
36. Any officer other than the Chief Clerk and the Departmental Medical Officer shall enter daily in the attendance book the time of his arrival at and departure from the office. Officers shall sign immediately upon, and in order of, their arrival at the office, and enter the time of their arrival. On departure from the office at the termination of the day or period of duty, they will sign again in consecutive order of departure, entering the time of their departure.
Attendance book to be withdrawn at 9.15 a.m.
37. The attendance book shall be accessible to officers before and up to 9.15 a.m. every day, when it shall be withdrawn and a line ruled by the Chief Clerk under the last signature therein. It shall not be produced for recording departures until the proper time of ceasing duty.
Time for commencing duty.
38. The allowance of fifteen minutes before the withdrawal of the attendance book must only be regarded as a concession to meet emergent cafes. The officers not subject to special Regulations in this regard, or not specially exempted from attendance at that hour, must be in their offices at 9 a.m.
Irregularity of attendance.
39. Any officer not subject to special orders in that regard, or not specially exempted, arriving at the office after 9.15 a.m. shall report to the Chief Clerk, who shall record the time of his arrival in the attendance book, and if a satisfactory explanation be not made, his irregularity, if repeated, shall be brought under the notice of the Deputy-Commissioner.
Time for luncheon.
40. Officers shall be allowed three-quarters of an hour daily for luncheon, i.e., from. 1 p.m. to 1.45 p.m., or at such time as the Deputy-Commissioner arranges, so as to prevent any interference with the transaction of departmental business.
Part IV.—Leave and Holidays.
Absence during office hours.
41.—(1) Officers in charge of Sections shall not leave the office during business hours without first obtaining the approval of the Deputy-Commissioner or Chief Clerk.
(2) Officers other than those in charge of Sections shall not leave the office during business hours without the permission of the Officer in charge of the Section.
(3) In all cases a memorandum will be left on the desk of the absent officer detailing his movements and the probable time of his return. If not on official business, the period of absence shall be recorded in the attendance book.
Recreation Leave.
42.—(1) The Deputy-Commissioner may grant to every permanent officer of his Department leave of absence for recreation for any period or periods not exceeding in the whole eighteen days in each year, exclusive of Sundays and holidays. Such leave shall be dependent on the good conduct and regular attention to duty of the officer.
(2) The Deputy-Commissioner may make such arrangements as will allow each officer in his Department leave of absence annually for recreation, as provided in the last preceding sub-regulation; but if it is found impracticable to grant the leave when it falls due, the Deputy-Commissioner may, if possible, grant it later in the same year. The officer concerned will take his leave at the subsequent date so fixed, or the leave will lapse. If it be not practicable or expedient to grant leave in any year, the Deputy-Commissioner may permit the leave to be taken in the following year in addition to the leave for that year.
(3) A roster shall be prepared in accordance with which each officer will take his leave. In preparing this roster the convenience of officers will be met as far as practicable, and each officer in turn will have the benefit of the more favoured portions of the year. At least a fortnight before the time specified in the roster, the officer concerned shall apply for leave.
(4) Leave not applied for shall lapse.
(5) Recreation leave for any year may not be taken in the year preceding that in which it falls due.
(6) Every application for leave of absence shall be made to the Deputy-Commissioner through the Officer in charge of the Section or Sub-branch in which the applicant is employed. The Officer in charge of the Section or Sub-branch shall report as to the conduct of the applicant and as to his compliance with regulations, and whether the leave may be granted without detriment to the work of the Branch in which the applicant is employed.
(7) No officer shall be granted recreation leave until he has completed at least one year’s service.
(8) Recreation leave shall not be granted on the resignation of an officer or on the termination of his services. Leave is for the purpose of maintaining an officer’s efficiency, not as a reward for services rendered.
(9) Salary shall not be paid in lieu of leave.
(10) For the purpose of calculating leave due to officers transferred from other Departments, continuous service in any Commonwealth or State Government Department shall be considered service with the Department of Repatriation.
(11) In no case shall officers be allowed to accumulate more than six weeks’ leave.
(12) Except in special circumstances, recreation leave shall not be taken within a period of six months of previous leave.
(13) For the purpose of calculating the leave due to permanent officers promoted from the temporary staff, the period of temporary employment may be reckoned as part of permanent service, provided the employment has been continuous.
Sick leave.
43.—(1) Applications for leave on the grounds of illness shall be supported by the certificate of a duly qualified medical practitioner, except in the case of single day absences, not exceeding three in any twelve months, when, unless otherwise directed by the Deputy-Commissioner, the production of the medical certificate shall not be necessary.
(2) For the purpose of calculating sick leave due to officers transferred from other Departments, continuous service in any Commonwealth or State Government Department shall be considered service with the Department of Repatriation.
(3) The Deputy-Commissioner, in cases of sickness or ill-health, may, on the production of satisfactory medical evidence, grant extended leave, not exceeding three months, in accordance with the following Schedule:—
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; margin-bottom:0pt; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr style="height:1pt"><td rowspan="2" style="width:20.84%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:middle"><p style="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:6pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Length of Service in Government Department.</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:middle"><p style="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:6pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Period for which Leave may be Granted.</span></p></td><td rowspan="2" style="width:52.14%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:middle"><p style="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:6pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Remarks.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:1pt"><td style="width:13.62%; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:middle"><p style="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:6pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Full Pay.</span></p></td><td style="width:13.4%; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:middle"><p style="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:6pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Half Pay.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:1pt"><td style="width:20.84%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Under 5 years</span><span style="width:18.7pt; font-family:'Lucida Console', monospace; display:inline-block">..</span></p></td><td style="width:13.62%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">1 month</span></p></td><td style="width:13.4%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="height:0pt; margin-top:-12pt; text-align:left; display:block; position:relative; z-index:0"><img src="image.001.png" width="11" height="85" alt="" style="margin-top:5.47pt; margin-left:50.28pt; position:absolute"></span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">2 months</span></p></td><td rowspan="3" style="width:52.14%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-left:7.2pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:-7.2pt; text-align:justify; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">In exceptional cases the Commission may take any special circumstances into consideration and may vary the scale of payments, provided that in no case shall the leave granted exceed 3 months on full pay</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:1pt"><td style="width:20.84%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:0pt; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Over 5 years and under 10 years</span></p></td><td style="width:13.62%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p style="margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">2 months</span></p></td><td style="width:13.4%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p style="margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">1 month</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:1pt"><td style="width:20.84%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Over 10 years</span><span style="width:18.7pt; font-family:'Lucida Console', monospace; display:inline-block">..</span></p></td><td style="width:13.62%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">3 months</span></p></td><td style="width:13.4%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">...</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
Provided that except where illness is due to war service, sick leave with pay will not be granted until an officer has satisfactorily served for a period of six (6) months.
(4) Where in the case of illness any officer who has received leave of absence for three months is not so far recovered as to be able to resume his duties,
further extensions of leave may be granted by the Commission in accordance with the following Schedule:—
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; margin-bottom:0pt; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr style="height:1pt"><td rowspan="2" style="width:17.28%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:middle"><p style="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:6pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Length of Service in Government Department.</span></p></td><td colspan="3" style="border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:middle"><p style="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:6pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Period for which Leave be Granted.</span></p></td><td rowspan="2" style="width:42.02%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:middle"><p style="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:6pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Remarks.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:1pt"><td style="width:13.74%; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:middle"><p style="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:6pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Half Pay.</span></p></td><td style="width:13.28%; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:middle"><p style="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:6pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">One-third Pay.</span></p></td><td style="width:13.66%; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:middle"><p style="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:6pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Without Pay.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:1pt"><td style="width:17.28%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:30pt; margin-bottom:0pt; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Under 5 years</span></p></td><td style="width:13.74%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:30pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">1 month</span></p></td><td style="width:13.28%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:30pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">6 months</span></p></td><td style="width:13.66%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:30pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">8 months</span></p></td><td rowspan="3" style="width:42.02%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-left:14.4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:-7.2pt; text-align:justify; line-height:normal"><span style="height:0pt; margin-top:-3pt; text-align:left; display:block; position:relative; z-index:1"><img src="image.002.png" width="11" height="173" alt="" style="margin-top:6.53pt; margin-left:-7.48pt; position:absolute"></span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">In exceptional cases </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; font-style:italic">(</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">e</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; font-style:italic">.g., </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">where an officer in the discharge of his duty sustains injuries of such a nature as to incapacitate him for all duty) the Commission may take any special circumstance, into consideration and may vary this scale, provided that in no case shall leave on full pay be allowed for a period exceeding 9 months in addition to leave granted in pursuance of regulation 3</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:1pt"><td style="width:17.28%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-left:7.2pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:-7.2pt; text-align:justify; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Over 5 years and under 10 years</span><span style="width:1.67pt; text-indent:0pt; display:inline-block"></span></p></td><td style="width:13.74%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p style="margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">3 months</span></p></td><td style="width:13.28%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p style="margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">6 months</span></p></td><td style="width:13.66%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p style="margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">6 months</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:1pt"><td style="width:17.28%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:0pt; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">Over 10 years</span></p></td><td style="width:13.74%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">6 months</span></p></td><td style="width:13.28%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">3 months</span></p></td><td style="width:13.66%; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif">6 months</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
Provided that on each extension of leave the applicant shall be subject to examination by the Departmental Medical Officer.
(5) In submitting applications under the last preceding sub-regulation the Deputy-Commissioner will submit full information of leave granted under sub-regulation (3), together with the certificate of the Departmental Medical Officer.
(6) If any officer absent himself from duty on account of illness, and such absence has extended beyond three months, he shall not be permitted to return to duty unless and until the Departmental Medical Officer or some other medical practitioner approved by the Deputy-Commissioner has certified that he is fit to resume work.
(7) No leave shall be granted with pay on account of sickness or ill-health caused by the misconduct of the officer or in any case of absence from duty without sufficient cause.
To satisfy himself on such points the Deputy-Commissioner may arrange with a Departmental Medical Officer to visit and examine the officer, or may require the officer to attend on a medical practitioner for examination.
The medical practitioner shall furnish a report of his examination to the Deputy-Commissioner, and if the report is, in the opinion of the Deputy-Commissioner, not favorable to the officer concerned, or if the officer is not available for examination at the time of the medical practitioner’s visit without, in the opinion of the Deputy-Commissioner reasonable cause therefor, a fee for the examination shall be deducted from any money which is or becomes payable to the officer by the Department.
The fee for examination shall be 10s. 6d. if conducted at the rooms of the medical practitioner, and £1 1s. if he is required to visit the officer. Provided that in any case where the distance to be travelled would, in the opinion of the Deputy-Commissioner, warrant a greater fee than £1 1s., such fee may be paid as is arranged between the Deputy-Commissioner and the medical practitioner. The fee shall be paid to the examining medical practitioner, unless he be a permanent officer of the Service, when no fee shall be charged.
(8) An officer shall submit himself to medical examination when required to do so by the medical practitioner selected by the Deputy-Commissioner.
(9) Leave of absence in case of illness shall not be reckoned as, or included in, leave of absence for recreation.
(10) Sick leave may be granted in one or more periods, but the aggregate amount of leave provided for in sub-regulations (3) and (4) is intended to cover a period of three years, dating from the first absence on sick leave.
(11) The second or any subsequent triennial period will commence on the date of first absence on sick leave following the date upon which the previous triennial period expired, and for the three years thus commencing the full amount of time provided in sub-regulations (3) and (4), according to length of service, may again be allowed.
Extended leave without pay.
44. The Commission may grant to any officer leave of absence without pay, but the period of leave shall not for any purpose be included as part of the officer’s period of service.
Short leave of absence.
45. The Deputy-Commissioner or other officer authorized by the Commission may, on sufficient cause being shown, grant an officer leave of absence not exceeding three days, but all such periods of leave shall be properly recorded on the officer’s personal history card, and, at the discretion of the Deputy-Commissioner, shall, or shall not be deducted from the next annual leave or accumulated leave of the officer.
Provided that if the leave granted under this regulation to any officer exceeds three days in one year, the excess shall be deducted from the officer’s next annual leave.
Leave of absence for Defence purposes.
46. Leave of absence may be granted to officers who are members of the Defence Force—
(a) in cases where such absence is necessary to enable them to fulfil the course of training prescribed in Part XII. of the Defence Act 1903-18; or
(b) to enable them to attend schools of Naval or Military instruction.
Leave of absence granted under this regulation.
The leave may, at the option of the officer, be deducted from annual or accumulated leave, and in respect of the period so deducted, shall be granted on full pay, otherwise it shall be granted without pay unless the amount of pay which the officer would have received if he had been on duty exceeds the amount of pay, excluding pay for Sundays and holidays, received as a member of the Defence Force, when he shall be paid the difference.
Absence to be reported.
If an officer be prevented by illness or other emergency from attendance to duty, he shall immediately report the fact to the Chief Clerk through the Officer in charge of his Section, and it shall be incumbent on the officer to furnish such evidence of the illness or emergency as the Deputy-Commissioner deems necessary.
Absence without leave.
48. Where an officer absents himself without leave, his pay for every day of the absence shall be deducted from his salary.
Performance of duties of absent officers.
49. The duties of an absent officer shall be performed, if practicable, by his fellow officers without additional salary or renumeration, in such a manner as the Officer in charge of the Section directs; but, if not practicable, then in such a manner as the Deputy-Commissioner or Chief Clerk directs.
C.13509.—2
Holidays.
50. The days prescribed by or under Section 72 of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902-1918 to be observed as holidays in the public offices which are subject to that Act, shall be observed as holidays in the Department.
Part V.—Temporary Officers.
Temporary clerks.
51.—(1) The rates of pay for temporary officers shall be in accordance with the following Schedule:—
(2) A temporary clerk who is required to perform, for more than a month, work which is paid for at a higher rate than that in which he is usually engaged shall, after one month, be paid at the higher rate so long as he continues to perform that work.
(3) A temporary clerk who is required to perform duty at any place 10 miles or more from his usual place of duty, shall be paid, in addition to the rates payable to him for the class of work he has to perform, the sum of 2s. 6d. per day.
(4) (a) For time on duty beyond seven and a-half hours on ordinary days, or beyond three and three-quarter hours on Saturday, payment shall be made at the rate of time and a-half, based on a week of 41¼ hours.
(b) For time on duty after tea, where the temporary clerk has been employed for seven hours in the day time, overtime shall be paid at the rate of time and a-half, whether the work prior to tea amounted to seven and a-half hours or not.
(5) In addition to the overtime prescribed by the last preceding sub-regulation, a temporary clerk who has worked for at least seven hours in the day time, and who is required to resume duty after tea, shall be paid tea money at the rates prescribed in regulation 71, if he satisfies the Deputy-Commissioner that he cannot reasonably be expected to go to his home or to his lodgings for tea between the time he leaves off work before tea and the time he is required to be on duty after tea.
(6) For all time on duty on prescribed holidays a temporary clerk shall be paid at the rate of double time.
(7) For all time on duty on Sundays a temporary clerk shall be paid at the rate of double time.
(8) (a) Temporary clerks, after twelve months’ service, shall be entitled to leave of absence for recreation for twelve days (exclusive of Sundays and holidays) on the terms and subject to the conditions governing the leave of permanent officers.
(b) If, however, it is intended to employ a temporary clerk beyond the first twelve months, and he agrees to continue in the employment of the Commonwealth for six months, the temporary clerk shall be entitled to eighteen days’ leave of absence (exclusive of Sundays and holidays) instead of the twelve days referred to.
(c) Temporary clerks after two years’ service shall be entitled to eighteen days’ leave of absence (exclusive of Sundays and holidays).
Sick leave.
52. Except in the case of returned soldiers, whose illness is due to war service, temporary employees shall be entitled to six days’ sick leave with full pay in any twelve months after the completion of twelve months’ satisfactory service. Returned soldiers, whose illness is due to war service, will be so entitled after the completion of 30 days’ service.
Conditions of employment.
53. Every temporary employee shall be deemed to be subject to the Orders for the guidance of permanent officers of the Department relating to attendance, absence from duty, performance of duties, and prescribed holidays.
Dismissal.
54. The services of any person temporarily employed may be dispensed with at any time by the Deputy-Commissioner, subject to the confirmation of the Commission.
Part VI.—Appointments.
Preference of employment.
55. In making appointments to the staff, preference shall be given, other things being equal, to—
(a) persons who are married, and who have served with satisfactory record in any Expeditionary Force raised under the provisions of the Defence Act 1903-1918 for service outside Australia;
(b) persons who are unmarried, and who have served with satisfactory record in any Expeditionary Force raised under the provisions of the Defence Act 1903-1918 for service outside Australia;
(c) widows of deceased members of any such Force who died on active service;
(d) Unmarried children of any such deceased members who were dependent on the earnings of those members at any time during the period of twelve months prior to their enlistment; and
(e) widowed mothers of any such deceased members who were dependent on the earnings of those members at any time during the period of twelve months prior to their enlistment.
Procedure in filling staff vacancies.
56.—(1) Appointments to positions carrying salaries up to and including £210 shall be made, as far as possible, from suitable men registered for employment or from trainees of the Department.
(2) Positions carrying salaries ranging from £220 to £310 shall be advertised in the press of the State in which the vacancy-occurs.
(3) (a) Positions carrying salaries ranging from £320 to £400 shall be advertised in the press of the State in which the vacancy occurs, and the officers of the staffs in other branches notified by the Commission, of such vacancy.
(b) The applications shall be forwarded through the Deputy Commissioner of the State in which the applicants reside, to the Commission, indorsed in each case with such comment as the Deputy Commissioner thinks fit.
(4) Positions carrying salaries of £420 and upwards shall be advertised in all States of the Commonwealth, and the applications forwarded through the Deputy Commissioner of the State in which the applicants reside, to the Commission, indorsed in each case with such comment as the Deputy Commissioner thinks fit.
(5) Notwithstanding the last preceding sub-regulation, in emergent cases or in cases where a position calls for special knowledge and experience, and an officer of the Department is available for appointment and is capable of filling the position, the Commission may direct that the position be not advertised.
Part VII.—Transfers.
Transfer of officers from place to place.
57. No officer shall refuse transfer from one position to another of equal importance in any part of the Commonwealth. The circumstances of individual officers will receive due consideration, but while attention will be given to objections of a personal private nature, it is to be understood that private considerations must give place to the interests of the Department. Should any officer object to a change of station or work on the grounds that it will involve him in pecuniary loss, or that the change is not to a position of equal importance, he may apply through the Deputy Commissioner for permission to decline the transfer. If the Commission finds that the objections are well founded, permission may be granted, without prejudice to the officer’s right, to future promotion or appointment. Provided that he shall have no grounds of appeal against loss of seniority should another officer be appointed to the position, and should the Commission determine that it is of higher status than the position occupied by the officer objecting to the transfer.
Exchanges.
58. Where officers desire to exchange positions, the Commission may approve of the exchange.
Temporary transfers.
59. The Deputy-Commissioner may temporality transfer an officer from one position to another. When it is necessary temporarily to transfer an officer of a lower class or grade to fill a higher position, the most competent available officer shall be selected.
Conveyance transferred officers.
60.—(1) Officers who are transferred from one locality to another solely at their own request, or by exchange, except as provided for in the next succeeding sub-clause, must bear the whole cost of their removal. If transferred on account of misconduct, the cost must be borne by the officers in fault, unless otherwise determined by the Commission prior to removal.
(2) Where officers are transferred—
(a) in the interests of the Department;
(b) to meet departmental convenience, or in the ordinary course of promotion,
(c) on account of illness due to causes over which the officer has no control, and where the Departmental Medical Officer certifies that a change is needed to restore health,
the actual cost of the conveyance of such officers, as well as that of their wives and children, will be paid by the Department.
Removal of furniture.
61.—(1) Reimbursements of the cost of removing furniture will be made in the cases of those officers specified in regulation 60 (2) (a) and (b), and will be subject to the following limitations:—
Officers’ Salaries.
Maximum Amount Allowed.
Maximum Weight Allowed.
£
Tons.
Under £200................................
25
2½
£200 and under £400.........................
35
3½
£400 and under £600.........................
40
4
£600 and over..............................
50
4½
(2) In providing for cost of removal, only necessary household furniture and effects shall be taken into consideration.
(3) Where exceptional circumstances are shown to exist, a reasonable amount in excess of the maximum amount payable under this regulation maybe authorized by the Commission.
(4) Before removal is undertaken the officer shall, where practicable, obtain quotations from at least two reputable carriers and submit them to the Deputy Commissioner, who, provided that the maximum amount prescribed by this regulation is not exceeded, may authorize the acceptance of the quotation which, in his opinion, is the more suitable.
(5) Where the officer elects to dispose of his furniture and effects instead of removing them to his new station, the Deputy Commissioner may, in lieu of the amount payable under sub-regulation (1), authorize payment of a less amount than the maximum amount payable under that sub-regulation to compensate for loss resulting from the sale of the furniture and effects in any case.
(6) An officer shall not be entitled to any compensation from the Government for loss or damage arising from removal.
(7) Furniture, where practicable, shall be removed by railway, if the cost be not greater than by other means of conveyance.
(8) Vouchers must be produced for all sums paid.
(9) Where an officer upon transfer cannot enter into private residence through inability to secure a house or through unavoidable delay in transmission of furniture and household effects, and the officer must therefore necessarily reside for the time being with his family at an hotel or other house of accommodation, the Deputy Commissioner may grant such officer an allowance not exceeding half the cost of board and lodging of himself and family, provided that the allowance shall not be paid for more than one month except upon approval of the Commission.
Part VIII.—Classification and Salaries
Classification.
62.—(1) Officers of the Clerical and General Divisions shall be classified and paid as under:—
“Assistant” (male) includes attendants and orderlies.
“Assistant” (female) includes adding machine operators, matrons, and investigating officers.
(3) Officers over 21 years of age shall be paid salaries not lower than the following:—
Male, £156 per annum.
Female, £132 per annum.
(4) Persons engaged as temporary or casual assistants will be paid in accordance with the ruling Commonwealth Arbitration Court award regarding temporary and casual employees in the Commonwealth Public Service.
(5) When a temporary officer is made permanent his salary shall not be reduced below that of which he was in receipt as a temporary officer at the time of his appointment to the permanent staff.
How pay calculated.
63. The fortnightly pay of officers on an annual salary shall be calculated as under—
Image unavailable in extracted text.
Payment for broken time, i.e., for a period of not less than a fortnight, shall be calculated as under:—
Image unavailable in extracted text
Increments.
64. The granting of increments shall be discretionary and conditional on good conduct, diligence, and efficiency of the officer concerned, and on the value of the work justifying the increase in salary.
Advances from grade to grade.
65.—(1) Except where otherwise provided, advancement from grade to grade shall be dependent upon the occurrence of vacancies in the higher grades, or upon alteration of the classification of the position.
(2) An officer promoted from the lower grade to a higher grade shall only be entitled to the minimum salary of the higher grade.
66. When the salary to be paid in respect of any particular office is fixed by the Commission at any sum within the limits of a class or grade, that shall be the salary payable to the officer holding the office.
Provided that the rate of salary received by the occupant shall not diminish until a position of equal value to the position held by him before reclassification becomes vacant and he is not appointed thereto, in which case his salary shall revert to that at which his position was reclassified.
Part IX.—Allowances.
District allowances.
67.—(1) The following shall be the scale of allowances which may be paid to officers living in localities where the climatic conditions are severe, or where the cost of living is exceptionally high:—
Provided that a married officer whose family resides with him at his station may be paid the allowance of the scale next higher than that in which his station is classified. Provided further that in cases of married officers stationed in localities in Scale VII., the allowance may be increased by an amount equal to one-fifth of the scale allowances. Provided also that an unmarried officer may be paid the allowance prescribed for married officers if he shows to the satisfaction of the Deputy-Commissioner that he is the main support of persons related to him, and that such persons reside with him at his station.
(2) Officers in the State of Western Australia who do not receive a District Allowance under the scale prescribed by sub-regulation (1) may be paid a Special Allowance equal to 5 per cent. of their salary.
(3) Where in computing, in accordance with that scale, the annual amount of District Allowance, the result includes a fractional part of a pound the nearest amount in pounds shall be allowed.
(4) In localities where the allowance in accordance with the scale does not in the opinion of the Commission, fairly compensate the officer for extremely severe and costly conditions of living, the rate may be increased by the Commission.
(5) District Allowances are not payable to officers while temporarily stationed in a District Allowance locality, but the Commission may under special circumstances increase the prescribed travelling allowance payable to an officer while stationed in such a locality.
Overtime.
68.—(1) Officers will be required to perform public duty after the usual hours wherever it is necessary to bring up the arrears of work, or to meet temporary pressure of business. Where found essential the staff dealing with such work or, at the discretion of the Deputy-Commissioner, the whole staff may be retained beyond the ordinary official hours. Every officer shall, when required by the Deputy-Commissioner, remain after the usual hours to complete work considered necessary to be done on the same day.
(2) Where attendance beyond the usual hours is considered necessary, and the attendance may involve the payment of overtime under the conditions hereinafter set out, the Officers in charge of Sections shall report the circumstances in writing to the Deputy-Commissioner, or such other officer as the Deputy-Commissioner approves. The report shall specify the officer or officers to be employed and the probable duration of overtime, and the Deputy-Commissioner or other approved officer, if satisfied as to the necessity therefor, may sanction the working of overtime.
(3) In emergent cases the Officer in charge may directly authorize the working of overtime; but in such cases a report shall immediately be made, to the Deputy-Commissioner who, if satisfied as to the necessity for the work, shall authorize the recording of the excess time as overtime.
(4) At the end of each calendar month the Deputy-Commissioner shall furnish the Commission with a return showing overtime worked by each officer in each Section or Branch during the month, the amount paid therefor, and the reasons for requiring the overtime to be worked.
(5) Payment of claims for overtime shall be made only on the approval of the Deputy-Commissioner.
(6) The practice of working overtime will be discountenanced as much as possible. If after a month’s overtime work it is still necessary to work overtime, that fact points to the necessity for an addition to the staff, and the proper steps to that end should be taken.
(7) (a) Payment for overtime may be granted to officers who are receiving salaries not exceeding £400 per annum, provided the Deputy-Commissioner, who must accept the responsibility, is satisfied as to the necessity for the overtime worked.
(b) Messengers are not entitled to overtime.
(8) Overtime shall be paid monthly at the rate of time and a-half, and the hourly rate shall be ascertained as under:—
Officers in Receipt of Annual Salary—
Image unavailable in extracted text
(9) Overtime shall not be paid for less than one hour on any one day.
(10) (a) The minimum rate of payment shall be 1s. per hour.
(b) A fraction of a penny in the hourly rate shall not be regarded in computing overtime payment unless it exceeds a half-penny, when one penny shall be allowed in lieu of the fraction.
(c) Overtime shall be calculated to the nearest quarter of an hour in the total amount of time to be claimed.
(11) Officers not working under close supervision, or whose hours of duty cannot be definitely determined, shall not be entitled to claim overtime except in such cases as may be specially approved by the Commission.
(12) An allowance paid to an officer for the performance of the duties of a position of a higher class or grade than that in which the officer is classified shall be regarded as salary for the purpose of computing overtime payment.
(13) When an officer returns to duty after tea, overtime will be paid for all time worked after seven hours; but where an officer does not return to duty after tea, overtime will be paid for all time worked in excess of eight hours, or tea money will be paid, whichever amount is the greater.
(14) In no case will overtime be paid for time worked before one o’clock on Saturdays.
Sunday duty.
69. Subject to the approval of the Deputy-Commissioner officers required to work on Sundays will be paid at the rate of time and a-half, and the hourly rate will be ascertained as under:—
Officers in Receipt of an Annual Salary—
Image unavailable in extracted text
Holiday pay.
70. Subject to the approval of the Deputy-Commissioner all officers required to work on prescribed holidays will be paid at the rate of double time.
Tea money.
71.—(1) Officers required to remain on duty at least two hours beyond the usual time, where the attendance necessitates obtaining a meal away from home, may be granted tea money, in accordance with the following scale:—
s.
d.
Officers receiving £500 per annum and over............................
2
6
Officers receiving over £200 per annum and under £500 per annum............
2
0
Officers receiving £200 per annum and under...........................
1
6
(2) Tea money will not be paid in addition to overtime, but when the amount for tea money exceeds the amount for overtime, tea money may be granted instead of overtime pay.
(3) Tea money is not to be regarded as overtime payment, but merely as a method of recouping an officer for expenses necessarily incurred through his authorized detention beyond official hours.
Travelling allowances.
72.—(1) The following shall be the scale of travelling allowances:—
Provided (a) that the allowances payable to officers stationed in Western Australia, when travelling within that State, shall be at the following rates:—
An additional allowance of 25 per cent. on those rates shall be payable when an officer is travelling in the gold-fields districts, but shall be discontinued when an officer is stationed for any period in excess of ten days in any one place; and
(b) that in the case of officers transferred temporarily from their head-quarters to take up duty at another station for a period of two weeks or over, the Deputy-Commissioner may direct that a reduced allowance be paid after the first week of residence:
Provided further that no allowance shall be reduced below the rates in the following scale:—
(2) Unless specialty approved by the Commission no allowance other than for expenses necessarily incurred shall be paid in any case where the officer is not required to be absent from his head-quarters over night.
(3) When officers travel by steamer or other vessel, or by railway, and the fare paid includes subsistence, one-quarter of the ordinary rates to which the officers would otherwise be entitled shall be allowed.
(4) All travelling allowances shall be in addition to the cost of conveyance. The period for which travelling allowances may be claimed shall be computed from the time of departure of the train, steamer, or other conveyance by which the officers travel to the time of arrival at destination.
(5) Where it is proved to the satisfaction of the Commission by any officer that the travelling expenses he would be entitled to draw under these Regulations do not as a rule cover his actual expenses, the Commission may authorize a payment in addition to that otherwise provided by these Regulations.
(6) Officers shall travel by railway unless the cost be not greater by other means of conveyance.
(7) Where an officer does not travel by railway he shall be repaid the actual cost of the necessary and most economical means of conveyance upon furnishing receipts for the payments when they exceed five shillings.
Part X.—Miscellaneous.
Seniority of officers.
73.—(1) In making appointments, seniority shall only be taken into consideration when the qualifications of two or more candidates are equal.
(2) Seniority of officers in the Clerical Division shall be determined according to class and date of entrance into the subdivision.
(3) The seniority of officers in the General Division shall be determined as follows:—
(a) In cases where officers are occupying positions similarly designated by salary paid, and date of commencement of receipt of the salary; and
(b) in cases where officers are occupying positions differently designated by the Commission, having regard to the relative value of positions, length of service therein, and such other factors therein as the Commission deems it necessary to consider in order to equitably determine the seniority.
(4) Unless the Commission otherwise directs, nothing contained in these Regulations shall be regarded as affecting seniority as existing prior to these Regulations.
Performance of higher duties.
74. Where any officer is performing, for three months continuously, the duties of the position of a higher class or grade than that in which he is classified he may be granted, on the approval of the Deputy-Commissioner, during the period in excess of three months for which he continues to perform the duties of the higher position, payment in addition to salary at a rate equal to the difference between his salary and the minimum salary of the class or grade of the higher position:
Provided that if, after performing the duties of the higher position for three months, he be appointed thereto, he may be granted the increased remuneration from the date on which he commenced to perform the duties of the position.
Officers making inquiries on behalf of the Department.
75. Officers deputed to make inquiries on behalf of the Department shall be provided with written authorities by the Deputy-Commissioner, who shall recover the authorities on the transfer of the officer to other duties, or on the termination of their appointments.
Address of officers.
76. A book shall be kept showing the address of each officer. An officer changing his address shall immediately notify the Chief Clerk, who will see that the change is recorded in the Address Book.
Officers’ Record Cards.
77. A Personal History Card will be kept for each officer in the Department. The card will contain a complete record of the officer’s official career, date of appointment, transfers, promotions, increases of salary, commendations, reprimands, dates and periods of both sick and recreation leave granted, and such other matter as the Commission deems necessary.
Treasury Form 43.
78. Treasury Form 43 will be prepared in triplicate as on the last day of each month. Within seven days after the end of each month the original shall be forwarded to the local representative of the Commonwealth Auditor-General by the Deputy-Commissioner, and one copy to the Commission. The third copy shall be filed in the office.
Attendance at Courts.
79.—(1) An officer subpœnaed or called as a witness must promptly notify the Deputy-Commissioner.
(2) An officer required as a witness on behalf of the Commonwealth shall not be entitled to receive any witness fee, but shall be granted leave with pay, and in cases where the officer is required to travel he may be allowed his ordinary travelling allowance.
(3) Officers subpoenaed or called as witnesses on behalf of a State Government shall be granted any necessary leave with pay, and shall not be entitled to retain any portion of the witness fee received, but must pay such fees to the Receiver of Public Moneys, to be credited to Miscellaneous Receipts.
(4) Provided that if the officer is required to travel, he may deduct from any payments received the expenses necessarily incurred in travelling. A statement of the fees received, and any deductions made therefrom, shall be forwarded to the Deputy-Commissioner with the receipt from the Receiver off Public Moneys.
(5) An officer subpœnaed or called as a witness in any other circumstances may be granted leave, but the leave will be without pay, and any fees received as a witness may be retained by the officer.
Offences.
80.—(1) If an officer is charged with—
(a) a breach of the provisions of the Act, Regulations, Rulings or Orders, or other instructions;
(b) wilful disobedience, or wilful disregard of any lawful order made or given by any person having authority to give such an order;
(c) being negligent or careless in the performance of his duties;
(d) being inefficient or incompetent, using intoxicating beverages to excess, or any disgraceful or improper conduct,
a Deputy-Commissioner may suspend the officer.
(2) The officer shall be immediately furnished with a copy of the charge, and shall be required forthwith to state in writing whether he admits or denies the truth of the charge, and shall be allowed to give any written explanation in regard thereto.
(3) The Deputy-Commissioner shall forward the explanation, together with his report and his recommendation, to the Commission.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.