Australian Wax Memorial Regulations (Amendment) 1995 No. 271
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Statutory Rules 1995 No. 271
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Australian War Memorial Act 1980
Australian Wax Memorial Regulations (Amendment)
Section 42 of the Australian War Memorial Act 1980 (the Act) provides that the Governor-General may make Regulations for the purposes of the Act and in particular for fixing charges for entry onto any land, or into any building, owned by, or under the control of the Memorial.
Regulation 8A sets out the various charges for entry into the exhibition areas of the building known as the Treloar Centre that is operated by the Memorial at Mitchell in the Australian Capital Territory, The exhibition areas of the Treloar Centre are defined by the Regulation as those which are open to the public, and which contain exhibitions, or displays of historical material from the Memorial's collection or that is otherwise in the Memorial's possession.
The proposed amendment to Regulation SA would give effect to a decision by the Council of the Australian War Memorial to introduce a concession entry charge of $2.00 for persons who hold a health care card under the Health Insurance Act 1973.
The proposed amendment to Regulation 8A would also make clear that a person who has a pensioner concession card may enter the Treloar Centre at the concession rate of $2.00 Regulation SA presently provides that a person who is qualified for fringe benefits under the Social Security Act 1991 may enter at the concession rate. Regulation 8A currently provides in respect of persons who hold a seniors health card granted under the Social Security Act 1991 or the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 that they need only show that card to be charged the concession entry charge. The proposed amendment would make clear that a person who is qualified for fringe benefits need also only show their pensioner concession card to gain entry at the concession rate.
The charges will commence from the date of notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
Overview
The Australian Wax Memorial Regulations (Amendment) 1995 No. 271, issued under the authority of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, seeks to amend the Australian Wax Memorial Regulations in line with the Australian War Memorial Act 1980. This amendment is aimed at addressing the need to provide concessional entry fees for certain categories of individuals into the exhibition areas of the Treloar Centre, which is operated by the Australian War Memorial at Mitchell in the Australian Capital Territory. The amendment specifically introduces a concession entry charge of $2.00 for persons who hold a health care card under the Health Insurance Act 1973, thereby providing clearer guidelines on who qualifies for the concession rate and ensuring that individuals with a pensioner concession card can also benefit from this reduced fee. The policy objective is to facilitate access to the Memorial’s exhibitions for those who require financial assistance, thereby promoting inclusivity and recognition of their contributions or circumstances.
Scope and Application
The Australian War Memorial Act 1980, as amended by the Australian Wax Memorial Regulations (Amendment) 1995 No. 271, applies to the regulation of charges for entry into the exhibition areas of the Treloar Centre, which is under the control of the Australian War Memorial and located in Mitchell, Australian Capital Territory. The Act specifically empowers the Governor-General to make regulations, such as setting charges for entry, in order to facilitate the administration and operation of the Memorial. The amendment in question concerns the introduction of a concession entry charge of $2.00 for individuals holding a health care card under the Health Insurance Act 1973 and clarifies that pensioner concession cardholders, as defined under the Social Security Act 1991, are also eligible for this reduced entry fee. This amendment ensures that individuals who are qualified for fringe benefits under the Social Security Act 1991 and those with a seniors health card granted under either the Social Security Act 1991 or the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 can avail themselves of the concession rate by simply presenting their respective concession cards. The changes in the regulations will take effect from the date of their notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
Key Provisions
The Australian War Memorial Act 1980, under Section 42, grants the Governor-General the authority to create regulations concerning charges for entry into any land or buildings controlled by the Memorial. Specifically, Regulation 8A delineates the fees for accessing the exhibition areas of the Treloar Centre in Mitchell, Australian Capital Territory, which are open to the public and contain exhibitions from the Memorial's historical collection. The amendment to Regulation 8A introduces a concession entry charge of $2.00 for individuals holding a health care card under the Health Insurance Act 1973, effective from the date of notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
The Act imposes certain obligations on the Australian War Memorial, particularly in ensuring that the regulations are clear and accessible to the public. This includes providing information on the various categories of concessional entry fees and ensuring that these fees are applied consistently. Additionally, the Memorial must ensure that individuals with the appropriate concession cards are not charged the standard entry fee, but rather the specified concession rate. The amendment also mandates that the Memorial update its entry systems and staff training to reflect these new charges.
Failure to adhere to the provisions of the Australian War Memorial Act 1980 and the amended Regulations could result in breaches of the law. While the Act does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance, any deviation from the stipulated entry charges could be viewed as a breach of the regulations. Penalties for such breaches might include fines or other sanctions as prescribed under relevant Australian legislation. It is important for the Memorial to comply with these regulations to avoid any legal repercussions and to maintain the integrity of the concessionary system.