Under subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965, the Assistant Treasurer has made a determination regarding the specification of coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint.
Subsection 13A (1) of the Currency Act 1965 requires that the determination provides details of the coins characteristics including standard composition, standard weight, allowable variation from standard weight, design and dimensions.
This determination is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of section 42 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (Subsection 13(6) and 13A (4) of the Currency Act 1965, Section 57 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003).
The following table is a description of designs and details on the reverse and obverse of the coins.
Item 1 | $1 Coin 2010 Al/Bronze $1 Proof & Uncirculated Coins: 150th Anniversary - Burke and Wills Expedition REVERSE A design consisting of a representation of a tree with a carving of the Roman numeral ‘LXV’; a representation of a seated figure beneath the tree; a stylised representation of human footprints; a stylised representation of camel prints; an irregularly shaped line representing a coastline; and the inscriptions: ‘1 Dollar’; ‘150th Anniversary – Burke & Wills Expedition’ and ‘WP’ – the coin designer’s initials. OBVERSE Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins. The effigy appears together with the text ‘ELIZABETH II’, ‘AUSTRALIA 2010’, and the initials ‘IRB’. |
Item 2 | 20c Coin 2010 Cupro Nickel 20c Proof & Uncirculated Coins: 150th Anniversary - Burke and Wills Expedition REVERSE A design consisting of a representation of two figures - one riding a camel, the other riding a horse; a stylised representation of human footprints; a stylised representation of camel prints; two irregularly shaped lines representing a coastline; and the inscriptions: ‘20’; ‘150th Anniversary – Burke & Wills Expedition’ and ‘WP’ – the coin designer’s initials.
OBVERSE Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins. The effigy appears together with the text ‘ELIZABETH II’, ‘AUSTRALIA 2010’, and the initials ‘IRB’. |
Public consultation
No public consultation was undertaken in relation to the currency determination for items 1 and 2 as they have limited public interest and the design of the coins is based on the commercial decisions of the Royal Australian Mint.
The coin designs in Item 1 - 2 were created in consultation with The Royal Society of Victoria with whom the RAM worked in exclusive partnership on the Burke and Wills commemorative coins. An Anniversary Advisory Committee has been established to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Burke and Wills Expedition in August 2010. The Committee, chaired by the Society’s Senior Vice President, Dr Peter Thorne, and composed of eminent Australians, including historians, and persons experienced in the conduct of national events of this nature, will develop a creative program of events and projects designed to capture the imagination and encourage the participation of all Australians. The RAM’s Burke and Wills commemorative coins will be part of this official education and outreach program.
Commencement of Determination
The determination commences on the day after it is registered.
Overview
The Currency Act 1965, enacted by the Australian Parliament, addresses the regulation of currency and coins within Australia. One of its provisions allows the Assistant Treasurer to determine the specifications for coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint. This includes the detailed characteristics such as composition, weight, design, and dimensions. The determination made under subsection 13A(1) of the Act provides these specifications for particular coins, including $1 and 20c coins commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Burke and Wills Expedition. This determination, which is subject to disallowance under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, includes intricate designs on both the reverse and obverse of the coins, featuring commemorative elements and the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The policy objective underpinning this determination appears to be both commemorative and educational, celebrating a significant historical event and involving the Royal Australian Mint in a manner that aligns with national commemorative efforts.
Scope and Application
The Currency Act 1965, as amended by the determination made under subsection 13A (1), specifies the characteristics of coins to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint, including their standard composition, weight, allowable variations, design, and dimensions. This determination applies to the specific coins listed, namely the $1 and 20 cent coins commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Burke and Wills Expedition. The coins, which feature unique reverse designs and the standard obverse design of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, are issued as part of a commemorative program in collaboration with The Royal Society of Victoria. The determination is applicable to the entities involved in the minting and issuance of these coins, specifically the Royal Australian Mint, and to the coins themselves. The jurisdictional reach of this determination is national, as it pertains to the currency of Australia. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in the determination itself, although the scope of the Currency Act 1965 may include additional parameters. The application of this determination can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, as provided under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.
Key Provisions
The Currency Act 1965, specifically under subsection 13A(1), empowers the Assistant Treasurer to make a determination regarding the specifications of coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint. This determination must include detailed characteristics of the coins such as their standard composition, standard weight, allowable variation from standard weight, design, and dimensions (subsection 13A(1)). This requirement is critical as it ensures that all coins issued comply with established standards and have a uniform appearance and value.
The obligations imposed by this Act on the Royal Australian Mint and the Assistant Treasurer include ensuring that the coins meet the specified standards in terms of composition, weight, and design. For example, the $1 Coin 2010 Al/Bronze and the 20c Coin 2010 Cupro Nickel, both commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Burke and Wills Expedition, must feature specific designs on both the obverse and reverse sides. The obverse must include an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, along with the inscriptions ‘ELIZABETH II’, ‘AUSTRALIA 2010’, and the initials ‘IRB’. The reverse designs must include representations and inscriptions commemorating the Burke and Wills Expedition, as detailed in the determination.
The Act also outlines potential consequences for non-compliance. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the explanatory statement, breaches of the Currency Act 1965 could lead to civil or criminal penalties, depending on the nature and severity of the offence. Such penalties could include fines or imprisonment, with the exact penalties determined by the courts based on the circumstances of each case. The determination itself is a disallowable instrument, meaning it can be subject to review and disallowance by Parliament under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.
Overall, the determination under subsection 13A(1) of the Currency Act 1965 is designed to ensure that the coins issued by the Royal Australian Mint meet specific standards and commemorate significant events in Australian history, such as the Burke and Wills Expedition. This process ensures that the coins are of high quality and hold cultural and historical significance for the nation.