EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT STANDARDS 2003 (No 3)
DISALLOWABLE INSTRUMENT No 2003-49

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 for Public Administration, with the approval in advance 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 provide that the Chief Minister can give a general approval for the making of Standards by the Commissioner for specific purposes. The purposes currently specified include amendments that are consistent with policy direction previously endorsed by the Government, and changes of a technical nature which do not include any significant policy change such as updating allowances, changes to clarify existing Standards, and correcting typographical and grammatical errors.

Outline
The Commissioner makes amendments to the Standards in accordance with the parameters agreed to by the Chief Minister. 

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 13 Rule 8 updates the overtime duty meal allowance rate. The revised rate is based on CPI increases for food in the Canberra region.

The revised rates are effective from 12 April 2003. 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.