Overview

The Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal Amendment Declaration 2018 was enacted in 2018 to address the need for updating the list of eligible organisations for the award of the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal with Clasps 'JAPAN' and 'PAKISTAN II'. This amendment was approved by the Governor-General and was introduced to ensure that the recognition criteria for the medal remain relevant and comprehensive. The policy objective of this amendment is to ensure that humanitarian workers who have made significant contributions in specific overseas operations are appropriately acknowledged. The enacting body for this amendment is the Commonwealth of Australia, as evidenced by the publication in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. The amendments to the lists of eligible organisations were made to better reflect the current entities involved in humanitarian efforts in Japan and Pakistan, thus enhancing the accuracy and fairness of the medal's award criteria.

Scope and Application

The Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal Amendment Declaration 2018 pertains to amendments to the eligibility criteria for the award of the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal with Clasps ‘JAPAN’ and ‘PAKISTAN II’. This legislation applies to individuals who have served overseas in humanitarian missions, as well as to the organisations that employed them during these missions. The scope of the Act includes the amendment of the lists of eligible organisations, thereby extending the recognition to additional entities that participated in the specified humanitarian missions. The jurisdictional reach of this Act is national, as it is issued under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia and applies across the country. The declared amendments do not specify any exclusions or thresholds, and the Act itself does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments. The changes are made to ensure that all deserving organisations are acknowledged for their contributions in humanitarian missions in Japan and Pakistan.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal Amendment Declaration 2018, which amend the lists of eligible organisations for the award of the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal with Clasps ‘JAPAN’ and ‘PAKISTAN II’, are sections 3 and 4. Section 3 specifies the amendments to the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (Japan) Declaration 2012, and section 4 specifies the amendments to the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (Pakistan II) Declaration 2012. These sections detail the new or additional organisations that are now eligible for the award of the respective clasps. The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, primarily concerning the eligibility criteria for the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal with the specified clasps. The amendments clarify which organisations qualify for recognition, ensuring that the awards are given to those who have served in the specified humanitarian missions in Japan and Pakistan. The obligations extend to ensuring that only eligible individuals from these organisations can be considered for the award. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned in the text for breach of the provisions in this Declaration. However, the implications of incorrectly awarding the medals could lead to administrative consequences for the organisations involved, as well as potential reputational damage. The text does not specify maximum penalties but implies that adherence to the eligibility criteria is crucial to avoid such issues. The Declaration serves as an authoritative update to the lists of eligible organisations, and it is crucial for all relevant parties to refer to the updated criteria. Failure to comply with the amended eligibility requirements could result in disqualification of individuals from receiving the medals, or in more severe cases, the revocation of previously awarded medals. The emphasis on accuracy and adherence to the declared criteria underlines the importance of maintaining the integrity of the humanitarian service recognition process.