Ministerial Changes - Morrison Ministry - 2 March 2019

Overview

The C2019G00221 Act, which was enacted on 2 March 2019, is a piece of Australian legislation that addresses the reassignment of ministerial responsibilities within the Australian Government. This act was introduced to rectify a gap in the current ministerial appointments, ensuring that the responsibilities are appropriately allocated to maintain effective governance. The act was enacted by His Excellency the Governor-General, the head of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the policy objective appears to be the efficient management of government portfolios and the maintenance of continuity in ministerial duties. The act highlights the dynamic nature of ministerial roles within the government and the necessity for timely and strategic adjustments to meet the evolving demands of public service.

Scope and Application

The C2019G00221 gazette notice pertains to the appointment and revocation of specific government roles within the Australian federal government, reflecting the dynamic nature of ministerial responsibilities and changes in political leadership. The notice revokes the appointment of The Hon Steven Ciobo MP as Minister for Defence Industry and Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Home Affairs. Simultaneously, it appoints Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC to the roles of Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Emergency Management and North Queensland Recovery. This legislative action is issued by His Excellency the Governor-General and applies to the individuals named, affecting their official capacities and responsibilities within the government. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this legislation is the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting federal ministerial roles and the distribution of government duties across various sectors. The notice does not specify exclusions or thresholds, nor does it mention any subordinate instruments extending or restricting its application.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Gazette C2019G00221 involve the revocation and new appointments of ministerial roles within the Australian government. Section (a) of the Gazette revokes the appointment of The Hon Steven Ciobo MP as Minister for Defence Industry and Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Home Affairs. This means that Mr. Ciobo and Senator Reynolds are no longer holding these respective positions as of the effective date of the Gazette. Moving to section (b), Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC is appointed as Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Emergency Management and North Queensland Recovery, thereby assuming these new roles. The Act imposes specific obligations on the affected parties. Mr. Ciobo and Senator Reynolds, now relieved of their former positions, must relinquish any responsibilities, duties, and authorities associated with those roles. Conversely, Senator Reynolds, in her new positions, is required to undertake the responsibilities and duties associated with being the Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for Emergency Management, and Minister for North Queensland Recovery. This includes policy formulation, oversight of relevant departments, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences detailed within the text of the Gazette itself. The Gazette serves primarily as a formal notification of the changes in ministerial appointments, rather than a legislative document that includes provisions for sanctions. However, any failure to comply with the roles and responsibilities of a ministerial position could potentially lead to broader consequences under other legislation or government protocols. For example, dereliction of duty or misuse of office might attract penalties under the Public Service Act 1999 or other relevant statutes.