Honorary Award – July 2022

Overview

The Commonwealth of Australia has introduced the Australian Honours System to recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation. This system was established through the National Honours and Awards Act 1990, which was enacted to formalise the recognition of achievements and services rendered to Australia. The enacting body responsible for this legislation is the Parliament of Australia, with the policy objective of fostering a sense of national identity and pride by rewarding excellence and dedication in various fields. The introduction of this Act aimed to address the need for a structured and official framework to honour individuals who have made substantial contributions to the nation, thereby filling a gap in formal recognition of such achievements. The policy objective stated within the text is to provide a formal system for the recognition of significant contributions to Australia.

Scope and Application

The C2022G00582 Gazette pertains to an honorary award, specifically the Honorary Medal (OAM) in the General Division, granted to Dato LIM Kian Hock from Malaysia for his service in fostering Australia-Malaysia relations. This award recognises his efforts in commemorating the role Australians played in Sarawak during World War II. As the legislation centres on an honorary award, it does not apply to any specific persons, entities, industries, conduct, or transactions beyond the individual named. Its jurisdictional reach is limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is bestowed by the Governor-General. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in this particular piece of legislation. The scope of the award is inherently personal and does not extend or restrict application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Gazette (C2022G00582) concern the awarding of the Honorary Medal (OAM) in the General Division to Dato LIM Kian Hock, Malaysia, for his service to Australia-Malaysia relations, particularly in commemorating the role played by Australians in Sarawak, Malaysia, during World War II. This announcement, made by the Governor-General, signifies recognition of Dato LIM Kian Hock’s contributions to enhancing bilateral relations between Australia and Malaysia, as stated in the Gazette. The award itself is a prestigious recognition, highlighting his efforts and dedication to this cause. The award, as announced, imposes no formal obligations on Dato LIM Kian Hock beyond the recognition and honour associated with the OAM. However, it does reflect a broader commitment to fostering and maintaining positive diplomatic relations between Australia and Malaysia. It is expected that Dato LIM Kian Hock will continue to contribute positively to this end, leveraging his new status to further the cause of cultural and historical understanding between the two nations. There are no specific offences, penalties, or consequences detailed in this Gazette for breach, as it is primarily a recognition of past service. The award itself is a mark of honour and does not carry any formal legal obligations or punitive measures. The Gazette serves to officially document and announce this recognition, ensuring it is formally acknowledged within both nations. The emphasis is on the honour and prestige that comes with the award, rather than any legal repercussions for failure to comply with obligations.