Royal Commission on Public Service Administration
Royal Commission on Public Service administration, Commonwealth of Australia · Federal Public Service Control Royal Commission · McLachlan Royal Commission
2 October 1918 – 28 July 1920
The former Public Service Commissioner D. C. McLachlan inquired into the Commonwealth Public Service, its personnel management and the proposed overhaul of the Public Service Act.
How it came into existence
Appointed by Letters Patent dated 2 October 1918 by the Hughes government, with Duncan Clark McLachlan, the first Commonwealth Public Service Commissioner, recalled from retirement as sole (unpaid) commissioner. Its costs were met by the Prime Minister's Department.
How it ended
McLachlan gave his report to the government by July 1919, after which a Cabinet sub-committee examined it; it was laid before Parliament on 28 July 1920, ending the commission. It influenced the staffing provisions of the Public Service Act 1922, although its opposition to a multi-member board and to public service arbitration was not followed.
Main functions
- Administration and control of the Commonwealth Public Service
- Personnel management, appointments, salaries and promotion
- Revision of the Public Service Act
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Prime Minister's Department.
Lineage
Loading lineage…