Australian Intelligence Medal - Determination

Overview

The Australian Intelligence Medal Determination 2020 was made by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia under the authority granted by the Regulations governing the Award of the Australian Intelligence Medal. This legislation was enacted to formally recognise the significant and often covert contributions of individuals within Australia's intelligence community. The establishment of the Australian Intelligence Medal aims to provide a tangible acknowledgement of the dedication, service, and sacrifices made by those involved in intelligence operations, ensuring their efforts are duly honoured and commemorated. The policy objective behind this determination is to provide a formal mechanism to recognise the indispensable role of intelligence professionals in safeguarding national security and interests.

Scope and Application

The Australian Intelligence Medal Determination, made under the authority of the Governor-General, outlines the design and wearing protocols of the Australian Intelligence Medal, which is intended to recognise and honour the significant contributions made by individuals within the National Intelligence Community. The medal is applicable to recipients who have rendered exceptional service or have made outstanding contributions to the intelligence sector in Australia. The determination does not explicitly specify exclusions or thresholds for eligibility, but it is implied that the recipients are those who have met specific criteria set by the intelligence community and endorsed by the Governor-General. The application of this medal is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby encompassing all states and territories within its jurisdiction. While the primary focus of the determination is on the design and wear of the medal, it implicitly extends its reach to all entities and individuals who qualify for this honour, with no explicit exclusions mentioned in the text. Any further application or interpretation of the criteria for receiving the medal may be governed by subordinate instruments or regulations not detailed in this determination.

Key Provisions

The Australian Intelligence Medal Determination, made under the authority of the Governor-General, outlines the design and specifications of the Australian Intelligence Medal (sections 1-4). The medal is a bi-metal construction with a nickel-silver antique finish and bronze colouring, measuring 38 millimetres in diameter. It features a raised Federation Star on the obverse, with a bronze decagon in the centre, surrounded by an indented border and a laurel of wattle. The reverse of the medal bears the words ‘Australian Intelligence Medal’ and may include the recipient's name. Additionally, the Determination specifies the design of the miniature medal, the ribbon, the ribbon bar, and the lapel badge, providing detailed measurements and descriptions for each component (sections 5-9). The wearing of the medal and its components is also detailed, specifying the occasions for wearing the full-size medal, the miniature, the ribbon bar, and the lapel badge, as well as the order of wear among other Australian honours and awards (sections 10-11). The Determination imposes obligations on recipients of the Australian Intelligence Medal to adhere to the specified protocols for wearing the medal and its components. Recipients must wear the full-size medal on the left breast when full-size orders, decorations, and medals are worn, and the miniature medal when miniatures are worn (section 10). The ribbon bar can be worn at any time when service dress is worn, and the lapel badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress (section 10). The Order of Wear dictates that the Australian Intelligence Medal should be worn immediately after the Emergency Corrections Medal, ensuring consistency and respect for the hierarchy of Australian honours and awards (section 11). There are no explicit provisions within the Determination detailing offences, penalties, or consequences for breach. However, as the Determination concerns the design and protocol for wearing a national honour, any breach of the specified protocols for wearing the medal or its components could be considered dishonourable and may result in the return of the medal. While not explicitly stated, the dishonourable act of wearing the medal without proper authority or in violation of the established protocol could lead to civil or criminal consequences under other relevant Australian laws. The maximum penalties for such breaches are not specified within the Determination but would be subject to the applicable laws governing the misuse of national honours and awards.