COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth:
TO:
THE HONOURABLE TREVOR REES MORLING
GREETING:
WHEREAS by Letters Patent issued in Our name by Our Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on 16 May 1994 We appointed you to be a Commissioner to inquire into and report upon matters relating to the leasing by the Commonwealth of accommodation for the Australian National Audit Office in Centenary House at Barton in the Australian Capital Territory:
AND WHEREAS it is desirable that those Letters Patent be varied in certain respects:
NOW THEREFORE We do, by these Our Letters Patent issued in Our name by Our Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on the advice of the Federal Executive Council and pursuant to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Royal Commissions Act 1902 and every other enabling power, declare that the Letters Patent issued on 16 May 1994 shall have effect on and from 27 July 1994 as if the words “not later than 31 October 1994” were substituted for the words “not later than 9 August 1994”.
WITNESS the Honourable William George Hayden, Companion of the Order of Australia, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on 26 July 1994.
Governor-General
By His Excellency’s Command
Minister for Foreign Affairs
for the Prime Minister
Overview
The instrument, dated 26 July 1994, is a variation of the Letters Patent issued to the Honourable Trevor Rees Morling on 16 May 1994, appointing him as a Commissioner to inquire into and report upon matters relating to the leasing by the Commonwealth of accommodation for the Australian National Audit Office in Centenary House at Barton in the Australian Capital Territory. The variation extends the deadline for the Commissioner’s report from 9 August 1994 to 31 October 1994. This alteration was made by Queen Elizabeth II through Letters Patent issued in her name by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and pursuant to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Royal Commissions Act 1902, and all other relevant enabling powers. The document signifies a formal adjustment to the initial terms of appointment, reflecting a need for additional time to complete the inquiry effectively.
Scope and Application
The prerogative instrument C2004Q00967 amends the Letters Patent issued on 16 May 1994, which appointed a Commissioner to investigate matters concerning the Commonwealth’s leasing of accommodation for the Australian National Audit Office in Centenary House at Barton, Australian Capital Territory. This amendment adjusts the deadline for the Commissioner to submit a report, extending it from 9 August 1994 to 31 October 1994. The scope of the Act applies to the Commissioner appointed for this specific inquiry, ensuring they adhere to the new timeline for their report. The jurisdictional reach of this instrument is limited to the Australian Capital Territory where Centenary House is located, thus it is a federal instrument impacting the conduct of a Commonwealth-appointed Commissioner within the national capital. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in this specific instrument, and its application does not extend beyond the amendment of the report submission deadline for the Commissioner.
Key Provisions
The primary operative section of this legislation, section 1, declares that the Letters Patent issued on 16 May 1994 will have effect from 27 July 1994, with a specific alteration. It specifies that the original deadline of 9 August 1994 will be extended to 31 October 1994 for the Commissioner's report on the leasing of accommodation for the Australian National Audit Office in Centenary House at Barton in the Australian Capital Territory. This modification extends the Commissioner's time to complete the inquiry and submit the report.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, it assigns the Honourable Trevor Rees Morling as a Commissioner to undertake an inquiry into the leasing matters specified. This role requires the Commissioner to investigate and report on the terms and conditions of the lease for the Australian National Audit Office's accommodation. The Commissioner must ensure the report is comprehensive and submitted by the extended deadline of 31 October 1994.
While the Act itself does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or consequences for failure to comply with its provisions, the overarching framework under which it operates may imply certain consequences. Typically, failure to adhere to the terms set by such Letters Patent might lead to administrative or legal repercussions, such as the nullification of the Commissioner's authority or the need for further governmental action to rectify the situation. However, the precise penalties or consequences are not detailed within this specific instrument but would likely be governed by broader administrative and legal principles.