Australian War Memorial Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Australian War Memorial Regulations (Amendment) 1996 No. 243, issued under the authority of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, amends the Australian War Memorial Regulations to clarify the identity of authorised officers who can invite individuals to enter the exhibition areas of the Treloar Centre without charge. This amendment was enacted to address a gap in the original regulation, which introduced charges for entry into exhibition areas but did not specify who could invite individuals in without charge. By identifying the Assistant Director, National Collection and the Manager, Treloar Centre as authorised officers, the Regulations provide necessary clarity and operational guidance to those managing the Memorial's activities. The policy objective of this amendment is to ensure that the administration of the Australian War Memorial aligns with its legislative framework and effectively supports its mission of honouring and educating the public about Australia's military history.

Scope and Application

The Australian War Memorial Regulations (Amendment) 1996 No. 243 amends the Australian War Memorial Regulations to refine the application of entry charges at the Memorial’s exhibition areas, specifically within the Treloar Centre. The Regulations are made pursuant to section 42 of the Australian War Memorial Act 1980, which empowers the Governor-General to establish rules concerning charges for entry into Memorial-owned or controlled lands and buildings. The amendment clarifies the definition of 'authorised officer' under sub-regulation 8A(2), identifying the Assistant Director, National Collection and the Manager, Treloar Centre as those who can invite persons to enter exhibition areas without charge. This amendment ensures that the previously vague term 'authorised officer' now has specific, defined roles, thereby providing clarity and accountability in the implementation of the entry charge provisions. The Regulations are applicable nationally and came into effect on the date of their Gazette publication.

Key Provisions

The Australian War Memorial Regulations (Amendment) 1996 No. 243 introduces significant changes to the Australian War Memorial Regulations, particularly in relation to the entry charges for the exhibition areas of the Treloar Centre. As per Section 42 of the Australian War Memorial Act 1980, the Governor-General has the authority to make regulations for the purposes of the Act, including the fixing of charges for entry onto any land or into any building owned by or under the control of the Memorial. The amendment made by Regulation 8A(2)(c) specifies that the Assistant Director, National Collection, and the Manager, Treloar Centre, are now recognised as 'authorised officers' who can invite individuals to enter the exhibition areas without charge. These amendments impose certain obligations on the authorised officers, namely the Assistant Director, National Collection, and the Manager, Treloar Centre. They are now responsible for identifying and inviting individuals who may enter the exhibition areas free of charge. This could include specific categories of people such as veterans, school groups, or individuals with disabilities, among others. The regulation ensures that these officers have the authority to make such invitations, thereby streamlining the process and providing clarity on who can be granted free entry. In terms of consequences, the Regulations do not explicitly outline specific penalties or civil/criminal consequences for breaches. However, failure to adhere to the stipulated processes or making unauthorised invitations could potentially lead to disputes or challenges regarding the legitimacy of free entry, particularly if it affects the financial viability of the Memorial's operations. The primary focus of the regulation seems to be on providing clear guidelines for authorised officers rather than detailing punitive measures for non-compliance. The amendments aim to ensure that the process for granting free entry is transparent and managed by recognised officials within the Memorial.