Australian Sports Medal - Determination

Overview

The Australian Sports Medal Determination 2021 was made by the Governor-General, General the Honourable David Hurley, acting under the authority granted by the Australian Sports Medal Regulations. This Determination was enacted to formalise the design and specifications of the Australian Sports Medal, which recognises significant contributions to Australian sports. The design of the medal and its accompanying miniature and ribbon are detailed, incorporating national symbols such as the Southern Cross and the colours green and gold. The medal is intended to be worn on the left breast, following the established order of precedence for Australian honours and awards. The policy objective behind this legislation is to provide a formal recognition of significant contributions to Australian sports, encapsulating the nation’s sporting heritage and values.

Scope and Application

The Australian Sports Medal Determination, made by the Governor-General under the Australian Sports Medal Regulations, provides detailed specifications and guidelines for the design, dimensions, and wearing of the Australian Sports Medal. This legislation applies to individuals who have been awarded the Australian Sports Medal, which is given in recognition of significant contributions to Australian sport. The medal's design symbolises Australian sport with elements like the stars of the Southern Cross and lines depicting an athletics track, and it is made of nickel silver. The medal's ribbon features the national colours of green and gold, and it is worn on the left breast under specific conditions. The miniature version of the medal is also described, along with the order of wear when combined with other orders, decorations, and medals. The scope of this legislation is limited to the design and wearing protocols of the Australian Sports Medal, with no stated exclusions or exemptions.

Key Provisions

The Australian Sports Medal Determination outlines the design and specifications of the medal, its miniature, ribbon, and the circumstances under which it is worn. The design of the medal (Section 1) features the stars of the Southern Cross and lines depicting the athletics track at Stadium Australia, Sydney Olympic Park. It is made of nickel silver, is circular, 38 millimetres in diameter, and 3.2 millimetres in thickness at the rim. The obverse shows lines representing an athletics track with the Southern Cross above, while the reverse has the words ‘AUSTRALIAN SPORTS MEDAL’ in capital letters, arch-shaped, and raised. The medal is suspended from a ribbon by a ring connector made of nickel silver and 15 millimetres in diameter. The miniature is a half-size replica, suspended from a 16 millimetre wide ribbon, and the ribbon itself is 32 millimetres wide with alternating stripes of green and gold. The Determination imposes specific rules on the wearing of the Australian Sports Medal and its miniature. According to Section 4, the full-size medal is worn on the left breast when full-size orders, decorations, and medals are worn, while the miniature is worn on all occasions when miniatures of orders, decorations, and medals are worn. Section 5 details the order of wear, stating that the Australian Sports Medal is worn in accordance with the Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards, in the same order as Coronation, Jubilee, Remembrance, and Commemorative medals, based on the date of receipt. Section 6 and 7 do not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or consequences for breach; however, any deviations from the specified design, wearing, or order of wear could be considered improper or disrespectful to the protocol surrounding Australian honours and awards. The Australian Honours, Decorations and Medals (Misuse) Act 1986 governs the misuse of Australian honours, decorations, and medals, and breaches may result in criminal charges under Section 6 of the Act, with a maximum penalty of a fine of 100 penalty units or imprisonment for six months, or both. This may apply to any misuse of the Australian Sports Medal, including its design, wearing, or order of wear.