ELIZABETH R
ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth:
TO ALL to whom these Presents shall come,
GREETING:
WHEREAS by Letters Patent dated 12 April 1988 We instituted an Australian medal to be known as the "Australian Fire Service Medal" and made provision with respect to Regulations Governing the Award of the Australian Fire Service Medal:
AND WHEREAS it is desirable that certain amendments be made to the Regulations:
KNOW YOU that We do, by these Presents, declare Our pleasure that the above-mentioned Letters Patent dated 12 April 1988 be amended, but without prejudice to anything lawfully done thereunder, as set out in the Schedule:
IN WITNESS whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent.
GIVEN under the Great Seal of Australia at Our Court at St James’s on 5 December 1991
By Her Majesty’s Command,
BOB HAWKE
Prime Minister
Schedule
Amendments to the Regulations Governing the Award of the Australian Fire Service Medal
1 Regulation 2 is amended by omitting paragraph (c) of the definition of “responsible Minister” and substituting the following paragraph:
“(c) in the case of a fire service of the Australian Capital Territory—the Chief Minister of that Territory or a Minister of that Territory acting for and on behalf of the Chief Minister;”.
Overview
The Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) was introduced in 1988 to recognise and honour the contributions of firefighters and other emergency service personnel who have made a significant service to their community. The C2010Q00067 Act, enacted in 1991, made amendments to the Regulations Governing the Award of the Australian Fire Service Medal. This change was aimed at updating the framework that governs the award of the AFSM, ensuring it remains relevant and reflective of the evolving nature of fire services within Australia. The policy objective of the Act is to maintain the integrity and relevance of the Australian Fire Service Medal by ensuring that the regulations are up to date and accurately reflect the current structure and responsibilities of the fire services across the country.
Scope and Application
The Prerogative instrument C2010Q00067 pertains to amendments of the Regulations Governing the Award of the Australian Fire Service Medal, originally instituted by Letters Patent dated 12 April 1988. The Regulations apply to the award of the Australian Fire Service Medal, which is bestowed upon individuals who have rendered distinguished service to the fire services in Australia. The scope of the Regulations includes defining eligibility criteria and the process for awarding the medal, thereby impacting personnel within the fire services across Australia. The amendment, dated 5 December 1991, specifically modifies the definition of "responsible Minister" to include the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory or a Minister acting on behalf of the Chief Minister, thereby extending the application to the fire services of the Australian Capital Territory. The jurisdictional reach of the Act is national, affecting all Australian territories and fire service personnel. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the text, and the application is not further extended or restricted by subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Prerogative Instrument C2010Q00067, as outlined in the Schedule, pertain to the amendments to the Regulations Governing the Award of the Australian Fire Service Medal. Specifically, Regulation 2 is amended to redefine the term “responsible Minister” in the context of a fire service within the Australian Capital Territory (section 1). Under the new amendment, the responsible Minister is specified as the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory or a Minister acting on behalf of the Chief Minister (Schedule, Regulation 2(c)).
This amendment imposes a clear requirement on the parties involved in the administration and award of the Australian Fire Service Medal. It mandates that the Chief Minister or a designated Minister of the Australian Capital Territory must be the point of contact for matters concerning the award of the medal within that territory. This ensures that the process for awarding the medal is overseen by an appropriate authority within the territory's government, thereby maintaining the integrity and oversight of the award process.
The Prerogative Instrument does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches of the amended regulations. However, it can be inferred that failure to comply with the specified authority for the award of the Australian Fire Service Medal in the Australian Capital Territory could lead to administrative or procedural issues. Such issues might include delays in the recognition of eligible recipients or disputes over the validity of the awards granted under the incorrect authority, potentially impacting the recognition and respect afforded to the recipients of the medal.