Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Form of Identity Card) Notifiable Instrument 2024

Overview

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Form of Identity Card) Notifiable Instrument 2024 was introduced to ensure that inspectors within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park have a standardised form of identification, facilitating their official duties under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This notifiable instrument was enacted by Joshua Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, under subsection 45(1A) of the Act. Its primary policy objective is to maintain the integrity and authority of inspectors by providing them with a clearly identifiable and authorised identity card, which is crucial for their roles in enforcing regulations and protecting the marine park's ecosystem. The instrument sets out the approved form of the identity card, ensuring it contains specific elements such as the inspector’s photograph, name, signature of the issuing officer, and the date of issuance.

Scope and Application

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Form of Identity Card) Notifiable Instrument 2024 applies to inspectors appointed under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, specifying the approved form of identity card that must be issued to them. This legislation sets out the mandatory elements that must appear on the front of the identity card, including a description identifying the cardholder as an inspector, a photograph of the inspector, the name of the inspector, the identification number, the signature of the issuing officer, and the date of issuance. The instrument is made under subsection 45(1A) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 and will commence on the day after its registration. It specifies the precise format and content for identity cards issued to inspectors, ensuring a standardised form for identification purposes within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The instrument's scope is limited to the approved form of the identity card for inspectors and does not extend to other forms of identification or other personnel within the Marine Park.

Key Provisions

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Form of Identity Card) Notifiable Instrument 2024 (sections 1-5) outlines the specific form and content of the identity card to be issued to inspectors appointed under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. This notifiable instrument sets out the approved form of the identity card, which must include several key elements. Firstly, the front of the card must display the words "Identity Card," followed by a statement identifying the cardholder as an inspector under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It must also include a space for affixing the cardholder's photograph, signature of the issuing officer, and the name of the inspector. Furthermore, the card must specify that it was issued by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, include the cardholder's identification number, and be dated with the name of the inspector. These provisions ensure that the identity cards are clear, standardised, and contain all necessary information to verify the cardholder's authority and role. Under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Form of Identity Card) Notifiable Instrument 2024, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has specific obligations to ensure that identity cards issued to inspectors comply with the approved form. The Authority must issue identity cards that contain the required elements specified in section 5 of the instrument, including the title "Identity Card," a statement identifying the cardholder as an inspector, the cardholder's photograph, the signature of the issuing officer, and other specified details such as the name of the inspector, identification number, and the date of issuance. Failure to include these elements could result in the identity card being considered invalid, thereby undermining the authority and legitimacy of the inspector in carrying out their duties under the Act. The notifiable instrument also includes provisions for potential breaches and the consequences thereof. Although the specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the instrument itself, it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance with the requirements for the form of identity cards could lead to various legal repercussions. Inspectors who do not possess a correctly issued identity card, or who fail to produce it when required, could be deemed to be acting without proper authority, potentially resulting in civil or criminal penalties under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 or other relevant legislation. Furthermore, the Authority may face administrative or disciplinary action for failing to ensure that identity cards are issued in accordance with the approved form, which could have implications for their operations and enforcement capabilities.