Cancellation of Champion Shots Medal - 28 September 2017

Overview

The Champion Shots Medal, enacted as part of the Australian honours system, was established to recognise outstanding marksmanship in the Australian Defence Force. This medal, introduced in 1999, aims to acknowledge and reward excellence in the precision and skill required in the use of firearms, thereby fostering a culture of excellence and proficiency in the armed forces. The enactment of this medal by the Australian Parliament addresses the need to formally recognise and encourage high standards of marksmanship within the Defence Force. This recognition serves to uphold the rigorous standards of training and performance that are essential in military operations, aligning with the overarching policy objective of maintaining a highly skilled and capable defence force. The decision to cancel the award, as notified in the 2017 gazette, reflects a commitment to maintaining the integrity and prestige of the honours system by ensuring that recipients genuinely merit the recognition they receive.

Scope and Application

The Champion Shots Medal, which was previously awarded to Royal Australian Navy Able Seaman Samuel Laurence SHEPPARD, Australian Army Corporal Jake McDERMOTT, and Royal Australian Air Force Corporal Troy Michael WHITLA, has been rescinded by the Governor-General's command. The cancellation of these awards applies specifically to the individuals named and their respective military branches within the Australian Defence Force. This decision pertains to the conduct and performance of the named individuals in relation to the Champion Shots Medal criteria. The revocation of these medals is effective immediately upon the issuance of the gazette notification. This action underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity and merit associated with military honours and awards. The decision does not extend to other recipients of the Champion Shots Medal or to other military honours or awards within the Australian Defence Force. The cancellation is definitive and does not permit any appeal or reconsideration, as per the statutory authority and the Governor-General’s powers under the relevant legislation governing military honours and awards.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the C2017G01069 Gazette (referred to as the "Gazette") pertain to the cancellation of specific military medals awarded to three service members. Section 1 of the Gazette specifies that the Champion Shots Medal awarded to Able Seaman Samuel Laurence SHEPPARD of the Royal Australian Navy, Corporal Jake McDERMOTT of the Australian Army, and Corporal Troy Michael WHITLA of the Royal Australian Air Force is to be cancelled. This means that the recipients are no longer to be recognised as recipients of this particular honour. Under the terms of this Gazette, the affected service members are required to return any medals, ribbons, or other insignia associated with the Champion Shots Medal. This requirement extends to any documents or certificates that attest to their receipt of the medal. The obligation to return these items is a direct consequence of the cancellation, underscoring the importance of compliance with the directive issued by the Governor-General. The Gazette also implies certain obligations on the respective military branches to ensure the return and proper handling of the revoked medals. This includes the coordination and logistics of retrieving the medals from the recipients and maintaining records of the cancellations. Failure to comply with these implicit obligations could result in administrative or disciplinary consequences within the respective services. Should any of the recipients fail to comply with the requirement to return their medals, they may face civil or criminal consequences. While the Gazette does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, in the broader context of Australian law, such failure could be construed as theft or misappropriation of government property. Under Australian criminal law, such actions could lead to prosecution, fines, and potential imprisonment. The specific penalties would depend on the jurisdiction and the severity of the offence, but they could range from fines up to a maximum of $5,565 for individuals and $27,825 for corporations, along with potential imprisonment terms depending on the court's discretion.