Overview

The C2019G00289 Act, enacted in 2019, is a legislative instrument that addresses the issue of the revocation of awards within the Order of Australia. This measure was introduced by the Australian Parliament to ensure the integrity and prestige of the national honours system, rectifying any instances where individuals may have been improperly awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division. The policy objective behind this Act is to uphold the values and standards associated with the Order of Australia by removing any individuals who no longer meet the criteria or have been found to be unworthy of the honour. The revocation serves as a corrective action to maintain the dignity of the award and reflects the commitment to recognising outstanding Australians who have made significant contributions to the nation.

Scope and Application

The gazetted notice C2019G00289 pertains to a specific administrative action involving the cancellation of a national honour. This notice applies to an individual, Mr Trevor Frederick Maltby, who previously received the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division. The action is taken under the authority vested in the Governor-General, signifying the Commonwealth's power to revoke such honours. The geographic scope of this notice is national, impacting Mr Maltby's recognition and any associated entitlements or privileges. The notice does not explicitly outline the reasons for the cancellation but implies that the decision is based on criteria that led to the original conferral and subsequent review. The notice is a formal public announcement and does not extend to subordinate instruments or other individuals, thereby maintaining its specific and singular application.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation (C2019G00289) involve the cancellation of the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division to Mr Trevor Frederick Maltby, as per Section 2 of the Order of Australia (General Division) Amendment Rules 2019. This notification, published in the Gazette on 4 March 2019, is issued by the Secretary of the Order of Australia, Paul Singer MVO, under the authority of the Governor-General. The cancellation is a formal and official action taken against Mr Maltby's award, specifying that his recognition and honour as a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia is revoked. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties or entities it governs primarily involve the formal process of awarding and revoking honours within the Order of Australia. The Secretary of the Order of Australia is tasked with ensuring that the rules and criteria for the award are upheld and that any breaches warranting revocation are properly addressed. The Act mandates that such revocations be officially communicated through a Gazette notification, providing transparency and public notice of the decision. This ensures that the integrity and prestige of the Order of Australia are maintained, and that any individual who no longer meets the standards or criteria for the honour is duly recognised. Any breaches of the criteria or standards that led to the revocation of an award, as exemplified in this Act, can lead to significant consequences. While this particular notification focuses on the cancellation of an award, the broader framework of the Order of Australia includes provisions for both civil and criminal penalties for those who misuse or dishonour the award. In cases of serious misconduct or criminal activity, individuals may face legal action which could result in fines or imprisonment. The specific consequences for Mr Maltby's case are not detailed in this notification, but the precedent set by the Act indicates that the penalties for dishonouring the Order of Australia can be severe, reflecting the gravity of the breach against the honour system.