EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT STANDARD 2005 (No 3)
DISALLOWABLE INSTRUMENT N0 DI2005-46

Public Sector Management Act 1994

Legislative Context

The Public Sector Management Act 1994 (the Act) regulates the management of the public sector and, in particular, section 251 of the Act empowers the Commissioner, with the written approval of the Chief Minister, to make Public Sector Management Standards (the Standards) for the purposes of the Act.

Sections 251(6) and (7) of the Act also provides that the Chief Minister can give a general approval for the making of Standards by the Commissioner for specified purposes.  The purposes currently specified include amendments that are consistent with a policy direction previously endorsed by Government and changes of a technical nature, which do not include any significant policy changes, such as changes to clarify existing Standards, updating allowances and correcting typographical errors.

Outline

The Commissioner makes these amendments to the Standards in accordance with parameters agreed to by the Chief Minister under sections 251(6) and (7) of the Act.  

There are two minor technical amendments.

The amendment to Standard 3 Part 8 Rule 6 updates rates for motor vehicle allowances. These rates are issued by the Australian Tax Office under the Income Tax Assessment Regulations 1997.  The amendment to Standard 3 Part 8 Rule 6 also corrects minor typographical errors.

The amendment to Standard 3 Part 13 Rule 8 updates the overtime duty meal allowance rate. The revised rate is based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases for food in the Canberra region.

The revised rates are effective from 19 April 2005.  This date reflects the 12-month period since the rates were last revised.

Financial Impact

Payment of the allowances will be met from within the relevant agency’s budget allocation.