Appointments revoked, appointments made by the Governor General – 2 July 2021

Overview

The Gazette C2021G00532, dated 2 July 2021, contains notifications of changes in ministerial appointments within the Australian government. Issued under the authority of His Excellency the Governor-General, the document details the revocation and reconfiguration of ministerial portfolios, reflecting shifts in policy priorities or administrative adjustments. This Gazette was enacted to ensure the public is informed of the new composition of the ministry, thereby maintaining transparency and accountability in governance. The appointments and revocations listed are intended to address current governmental needs, aligning ministerial responsibilities with the strategic objectives of the administration.

Scope and Application

The C2021G00532 (Gazette) is a notification issued by His Excellency the Governor-General concerning the revocation and reappointment of various ministers and parliamentary secretaries within the Australian government. This notification applies directly to the individuals mentioned, specifically the Members of Parliament and parliamentary secretaries who have had their roles and responsibilities altered or confirmed. The scope of the Act pertains to the executive branch of the Commonwealth government, particularly affecting the portfolio responsibilities and ministerial appointments that are critical to the administration of national policies and governance. Geographically, the Act's impact is national as it involves high-ranking officials within the federal government of Australia. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds outlined in this particular notification; it serves a purely administrative purpose to inform the public of the changes in ministerial roles and responsibilities. The application and enforcement of such changes are integral to the legislative and executive functions of the Commonwealth, though the specific operational details and broader implications for policy and governance would be addressed in other legislative and administrative contexts.

Key Provisions

The legislation C2021G00532, issued on 2 July 2021, outlines the revocation and appointment of various ministerial roles within the Australian government. Section (a) of the legislation specifies the revocation of several ministerial appointments, including those of The Hon David Littleproud MP, The Hon Darren Chester MP, The Hon Keith Pitt MP, The Hon Mark Coulton MP, The Hon Andrew Gee MP, The Hon Michelle Landry MP, and The Hon Kevin Hogan MP. Each of these individuals had previously held roles as Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries in various government departments. The revocation of these positions effectively removes them from their respective roles, which were tied to specific portfolios such as Agriculture, Defence, Resources, and Veterans' Affairs among others. In section (b), the legislation details the new appointments made by the Governor-General. The Hon David Littleproud MP is appointed as Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, consolidating his previous roles. Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie is appointed to multiple roles including Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, and Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education. The Hon Andrew Gee MP and The Hon Keith Pitt MP have their roles adjusted to Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, and Minister for Resources and Water respectively. The Hon Dr David Gillespie MP is appointed as Minister for Regional Health. The Hon Michelle Landry MP and The Hon Kevin Hogan MP are reassigned to new roles as Parliamentary Secretaries, with The Hon Michelle Landry MP now serving under the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and the Minister for Families and Social Services, and The Hon Kevin Hogan MP continuing his role under the Deputy Prime Minister, with a focus on Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Development. The obligations imposed by this Act are primarily administrative, requiring the affected ministers and parliamentary secretaries to vacate their previous roles and assume their new positions as specified. This entails the immediate cessation of duties related to their revoked positions and the commencement of responsibilities associated with their newly appointed roles. The transition must be managed within the existing governmental framework, ensuring continuity and efficiency in the administration of government affairs. The legislation does not impose any additional procedural requirements beyond these role changes. Breach of any obligations under this Act is not explicitly outlined, as the nature of the document is declarative and administrative rather than prescriptive in terms of enforcement. However, if there were any failures to comply with the appointed roles or if there were attempts to continue duties in revoked positions, it could lead to legal and administrative consequences, potentially including further directives from the Governor-General or parliamentary scrutiny. The specific consequences for non-compliance are not detailed within the text of the legislation but would likely involve internal government procedures and protocols.