Administration (Amendment) Ordinance 1987 (CI)

Overview

The Administration (Amendment) Ordinance 1987, enacted in 1987, was introduced to address a gap in the governance structure of Christmas Island by amending the Administration Ordinance 1968. This legislative instrument was made by the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, under the authority of the Christmas Island Act 1958. The primary objective of this ordinance was to enhance administrative efficiency and support the Administrator's role by establishing the position of Official Secretary, thereby ensuring better operational management and coordination of the island's administration. This amendment reflects a policy aim to bolster the administrative apparatus on Christmas Island, facilitating smoother governance and more effective public service delivery.

Scope and Application

The Administration (Amendment) Ordinance 1987 applies to the Territory of Christmas Island, which is under the administration of the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislation amends the existing Administration Ordinance 1968 by introducing the role of an Official Secretary to the Administrator, who will be employed by the Minister under section 11. The amendment is specific to the administrative structure of Christmas Island and serves to enhance the governance framework by adding an additional layer of administrative support to the Administrator. This legislative change does not extend beyond the jurisdictional boundaries of Christmas Island, thus its application is geographically and administratively confined to this territory. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the text of the ordinance, and its impact is limited to the administrative reforms within the territory. The ordinance itself does not explicitly mention the extension or restriction of its application through subordinate instruments, but it is within the scope of the Christmas Island Act 1958 that such extensions might be governed.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Ordinance introduce the role of an Official Secretary to the Administrator, as stipulated in section 10A of the Administration Ordinance 1968. Specifically, section 10A(1) establishes the existence of an Official Secretary, while section 10A(2) mandates that this position be filled by someone employed by the Minister under section 11 of the same ordinance. This amendment seeks to formalise the appointment of an Official Secretary, who would be responsible for assisting the Administrator in their duties. Under this Act, the obligations and requirements imposed on the parties involved are primarily administrative in nature. The Administrator is now required to have an Official Secretary to assist in the execution of their responsibilities, as per section 10A(1). This role is to be filled by an individual who is employed by the Minister, as stated in section 10A(2). The implication of this is that the Minister must ensure that a suitable candidate is appointed to this position, thereby facilitating the efficient administration of Christmas Island's governance. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil or criminal consequences mentioned within this Ordinance for the breach of its provisions. However, failure to appoint an Official Secretary as required by section 10A(1) could potentially lead to complications in the administration of the island. Such a failure might be addressed through administrative or internal disciplinary measures, although these are not specified in the text of the Ordinance. The Ordinance itself does not outline specific penalties for non-compliance, leaving it to other relevant legislation or internal procedures to address any resultant issues.