AUSTRALIAN INTELLIGENCE MEDAL
DETERMINATION
I, General the Honourable David Hurley, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting in pursuance of regulations 5 and 6 of the Australian Intelligence Medal Regulations revoke the Australian Intelligence Medal Determination made on the sixth day of August 2020, and hereby determine as follows (see note):
Main Piece
The Australian Intelligence Medal is a bi-metal construction of nickel-silver in antique finish and bronze colouring in a circular shape 38 millimetres in diameter. The obverse of the medal features a raised Federation Star. The centre of the Federation Star has a bronze coloured raised impression of a decagon, symbolising the ten agencies of the National Intelligence Community. The Federation Star is surrounded by an indented border, representing the twenty-four hour nature of intelligence. The central emblem is encircled by a contemporary laurel of a wattle which recalls the uniquely Australian nature of the award. The reverse features a border with the raised, polished words 'AUSTRALIAN INTELLIGENCE MEDAL' surrounding a space, where permitting, the recipient's name may be engraved. The Australian Intelligence Medal is suspended by a ribbon 32 millimetres wide by means of a narrow nickel silver in antique finish coloured bar. The ribbon features a central band of yellow, 5 millimetres in width, flanked by white graduating to midnight blue then to black. The medal thickness is 3mm. The height from the top of the suspender bar to the bottom of the medal is 50mm. The total height of the Main Piece is 93mm.
Miniature Piece
The Miniature Piece of the Australian Intelligence Medal is a half-size replica of the Main Piece, suspended from a miniature ribbon 16 millimetres wide. The medal thickness is 2mm. The height from the top of the suspender bar to the bottom of the medal is 25mm. The total height of the Miniature Piece is 46.5mm.
Lapel Badge
The Lapel Badge of the Australian Intelligence Medal is a replica of the medal, 10 millimetres in diameter.
Ribbon Bar
The Ribbon Bar of the Australian Intelligence Medal consists of a strip of full-size ribbon, 32 millimetres wide and 10 millimetres high, with no emblem.
Wearing
The Australian Intelligence Medal is worn on the left breast on all occasions when full-size orders, decorations and medals are worn. The Miniature Piece is worn on all occasions when miniatures of orders, decorations and medals are worn. The Ribbon Bar may be worn at any time on uniforr:n or civilian dress at the discretion of the recipient. The Lapel Badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress. The manner of wearing the Australian Intelligence Medal is in accordance with the Guide to the Wearing of Insignia.
Order of Wear
The Australian Intelligence Medal is worn in accordance with The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards.
Note
The Letters Patent approved by The Sovereign institutes the medal and ordains that the medal is governed by the Regulations Governing the Award of the Australian Intelligence Medal. These Regulations, approved by The Sovereign, set out the terms and conditions of an award, and states that the design, and manner of wearing, of the medal is determined by the Governor-General.
This document is known as the Determination and it informs the design of the medal, its associated insignia, and that the order of wearing is in accordance with The Order of Wearing of Australian Honours and Awards and the manner of wearing is in accordance with the Guide to the Wearing of Insignia. The design of the medal and associated insignia must be in accordance with the relevant technical specifications.
The placement of the medal is approved by The Sovereign, and the Order of Wearing of Australian Honours and Awards is the notification by the Governor-General of the positioning of all awards in the Australian honours system.
These instruments collectively inform the rules and conditions associated with the Australian Intelligence Medal.
Overview
The Australian Intelligence Medal Determination 2023 (C2023G00655) was enacted to provide a formal specification and guidelines for the design, insignia, and wearing of the Australian Intelligence Medal, which recognises service within the National Intelligence Community. This determination, issued by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, General the Honourable David Hurley, revokes the previous determination from 2020, aiming to ensure that the medal's design and associated protocols are consistently aligned with current standards and practices. The policy objective is to maintain the integrity and prestige of the Australian honours system, ensuring that the Australian Intelligence Medal is both distinctive and reflective of its significance in recognising dedicated service within Australia's intelligence sector. The determination specifies the physical attributes of the medal, including its bi-metal construction, dimensions, and the symbolism embedded within its design, as well as the guidelines for wearing the medal and its associated insignia in various settings.
Scope and Application
The Australian Intelligence Medal Determination, as established by the Governor-General under the Australian Intelligence Medal Regulations, outlines the design, insignia, and protocols for wearing the Australian Intelligence Medal, which is intended to recognise significant contributions to intelligence activities within Australia. This determination applies to individuals who have been awarded the medal for their service in the intelligence sector, encompassing various agencies and entities within the National Intelligence Community. Geographically, the medal pertains to the Commonwealth of Australia, reflecting its national significance. There are no explicit exclusions or exemptions stated in the Determination, but the eligibility for the award is governed by the terms and conditions set out in the Regulations Governing the Award of the Australian Intelligence Medal. The design specifications, such as the dimensions and materials of the medal, the miniature piece, the lapel badge, and the ribbon bar, are meticulously detailed to ensure consistency and adherence to the established standards. The manner of wearing the medal and its miniature, as well as the ribbon bar and lapel badge, is prescribed to maintain uniformity within the Australian honours system. The Order of Wear and the Guide to the Wearing of Insignia further clarify how the medal should be positioned relative to other awards and decorations.
Key Provisions
The Australian Intelligence Medal Determination outlines the design and specifications of the Australian Intelligence Medal, its miniature, lapel badge, and ribbon bar, as well as the rules for their wear. The main piece of the medal, as detailed in the determination, is a bi-metal construction with specific dimensions and design elements (Section 1). The obverse side of the medal includes a raised Federation Star with a decagon in the centre, representing the ten agencies of the National Intelligence Community, surrounded by an indented border signifying the continuous nature of intelligence work. The reverse side provides space for the recipient’s name and is encircled by a laurel of wattle, symbolising the Australian character of the award. The medal is suspended by a ribbon featuring specific colours that represent different aspects of the medal’s significance. The miniature piece, lapel badge, and ribbon bar also have detailed specifications to ensure consistency in appearance and wear.
The Act imposes certain obligations on recipients and administrators of the Australian Intelligence Medal. Recipients must adhere to the guidelines on how and when to wear the medal and its associated insignia. The miniature piece, for example, should be worn on occasions when miniatures of orders, decorations, and medals are appropriate. The ribbon bar and lapel badge have more flexibility in terms of wear, being permissible on both uniform and civilian attire at the discretion of the recipient. The determination also mandates that the design of the medal and its insignia must comply with the specified technical requirements to maintain the integrity and honour associated with the award.
Breach of the provisions outlined in the Australian Intelligence Medal Determination could lead to various consequences, although specific penalties are not detailed within the text. Given the nature of the award and its significance, unauthorised wear or misrepresentation of the medal could be considered dishonourable and could result in the revocation of the medal. Such actions may also have broader implications for the individual's standing within the community and the respect afforded to the award. The determination, by establishing clear guidelines and specifications, aims to preserve the honour and integrity associated with the Australian Intelligence Medal.