Acts Interpretation (Ministerial Acting Arrangements for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolio) Authorisation (No. 1) 2026

Overview

The Acts Interpretation (Ministerial Acting Arrangements for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolio) Authorisation (No. 1) 2026 was enacted to facilitate the seamless continuation of ministerial duties and functions within the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolio in the event of the absence of the Minister. Authorised by Julie Collins, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, this instrument grants Amanda Rishworth, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the authority to act on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry from 4 July 2026 to 19 July 2026. This measure ensures that critical functions and duties related to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry sector are not disrupted during the absence of the designated minister, thereby maintaining policy continuity and operational efficiency within the portfolio. The instrument is designed to be temporary, being repealed on 20 July 2026, and operates under the authority granted by the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

Scope and Application

The Acts Interpretation (Ministerial Acting Arrangements for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolio) Authorisation (No. 1) 2026 provides for a temporary delegation of authority from Julie Collins, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, to Amanda Rishworth, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, for a specified period between 4 July 2026 and 19 July 2026. During this time, Amanda Rishworth is authorised to perform any function or duty, or exercise any power, that Julie Collins may perform or exercise under an Act or a provision of an Act. This authorisation is limited to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio and ceases to have effect on 20 July 2026. The scope of the authorisation is comprehensive, covering all functions, duties, and powers related to the relevant Acts and provisions within the portfolio, thereby ensuring continuity of governance and administrative efficiency during the specified period of delegation.

Key Provisions

The Acts Interpretation (Ministerial Acting Arrangements for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolio) Authorisation (No. 1) 2026, provides a temporary delegation of authority from the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to another Minister. Specifically, under section 1, Julie Collins authorises Amanda Rishworth, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, to act on her behalf during a specified period, from 4 July 2026 to 19 July 2026. This authorisation allows Amanda Rishworth to perform any function or duty, or exercise any power, that Julie Collins might otherwise perform or exercise under an Act or a provision of an Act, within the scope of her portfolio. It is crucial to note that this delegation is strictly limited to the functions and duties of Julie Collins as the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The obligations imposed by this authorisation are primarily procedural and administrative. Julie Collins, as the authorising minister, must ensure that Amanda Rishworth is adequately briefed and informed about the specific functions and duties that she is authorised to perform. Amanda Rishworth, in turn, must exercise her delegated powers within the scope of the authorisation and in accordance with the relevant Acts and legislative instruments. Both ministers are required to maintain records of the delegation, including the period of authority and the specific functions delegated, to ensure transparency and accountability. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined in this authorisation itself. However, any misuse of the delegated authority or failure to comply with the terms of the authorisation could potentially lead to disciplinary action, ministerial responsibility, or legal challenges if the actions taken are found to be unlawful or outside the scope of the delegation. The consequences would depend on the nature and extent of the breach, as well as the specific provisions of the Acts under which the functions or duties are being performed. It is also important to note that the authorisation is repealed on 20 July 2026, effectively ending the period of delegated authority. The Act also serves to clarify the temporary nature of the delegation, ensuring that Amanda Rishworth’s authority ends on 19 July 2026 and is not extended beyond the specified period. This timeframe is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the ministerial portfolio and ensuring that the delegation does not inadvertently extend beyond the intended scope or duration. The repeal of the authorisation on 20 July 2026 is a key provision, ensuring that Julie Collins resumes her full responsibilities without any ambiguity or overlap in authority.