Appointment revoked, Appointment made by the Governor General - 3 July 2013

Overview

The Australian Government, through the Governor-General, exercises its constitutional power to appoint and revoke parliamentary secretaries, as evidenced in the gazetted notification on 4 July 2013. The Honourable Amanda Louise Rishworth MP’s role was revised by the Governor-General, switching her responsibilities from being the Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water to the Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Urban Water, while retaining her duties for Disabilities and Carers. This adjustment likely aims to align her portfolio more closely with evolving environmental policies and the government's focus on urban water management, thereby addressing gaps in environmental stewardship and urban sustainability.

Scope and Application

The C2013G01011 Act pertains to the roles and responsibilities of parliamentary secretaries within the Australian government. It applies to individuals appointed to the position of parliamentary secretary, specifically The Honourable Amanda Louise Rishworth MP in this instance. The Act delineates the scope of authority and duties associated with these positions, impacting both the parliamentary secretary and the respective departments or portfolios they oversee. Geographically, the Act's influence is confined to the Commonwealth level, governing appointments and roles within the national legislative framework. The revocation and subsequent appointment outlined in the Act indicate changes in portfolio responsibilities, which may affect the legislative and administrative functions within the Environment and Urban Water sectors, as well as those related to Disabilities and Carers. The Act does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in the provided text, nor does it indicate any extensions or restrictions through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of this Gazette (C2013G01011) are the revocation of the appointment of The Honourable Amanda Louise Rishworth MP as Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, and her subsequent appointment as Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Urban Water and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers (sections a and b). This Gazette effectively changes the portfolio responsibilities of The Honourable Amanda Louise Rishworth MP, redirecting her from Sustainability and Urban Water to the Environment and Urban Water, while retaining her role in relation to Disabilities and Carers. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Gazette on The Honourable Amanda Louise Rishworth MP include the immediate cessation of any duties and responsibilities associated with the revoked position of Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water. Simultaneously, she must assume the new role of Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Urban Water, which would include the associated responsibilities and obligations. These changes reflect the administrative adjustments within the parliamentary structure and the reallocation of specific policy areas under her purview. Breaches of the obligations and requirements set out in the Gazette would not necessarily constitute offences under this document, as it primarily serves to notify of changes in roles and does not impose specific actions or duties that could lead to penalties. However, any failure to comply with the changes in a timely manner could lead to administrative consequences within the parliamentary framework. For instance, not fulfilling the new role’s duties might result in disciplinary measures as per parliamentary rules and regulations, though this is not explicitly stated in the Gazette. There are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined in the Gazette for breach of its provisions. The Gazette itself is more of a formal notification rather than a regulatory document imposing sanctions. Any legal consequences would likely stem from broader parliamentary rules or employment agreements, rather than the Gazette itself. The focus of the Gazette is on the formal announcement of changes in parliamentary roles and responsibilities.