NATIONAL MEMORIALS ORDINANCE 1928
SUBSECTION 8A (2)
NAMING OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II ISLAND
I, Nola Marino, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories pursuant to subsection 8A(2) of the National Memorials Ordinance 1928, hereby vary the determination by the then Minister of State for the Interior, Gordon Freeth, dated 24 October 1963 and published in Commonwealth Gazette No. 98 dated 21 November 1963, by determining the name of the hatched area as shown on the attached Plan 1 and currently identified as Aspen Island, to be:
Queen Elizabeth II Island
The origin and significance of the name is described in attached schedule.
The naming comes into operation upon the date of publication of this notice in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on the Federal Register of Legislation. Section 8B of the National Memorials Ordinance 1928 provides that if notice in writing objecting wholly or in part to the determination is lodged with the Minister within twenty one days of the date of publication of this notice in the Gazette, the Minister shall forthwith refer the determination or the part of the determination objected to, to the Canberra National Memorials Committee for a determination by the Committee.
Dated this 16th day of March 2022.
Hon Nola Marino MP
Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories
SCHEDULE
NAME | ORIGIN | SIGNIFICANCE |
QUEEN ELIZABETH II ISLAND | Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II | On 6 February 1952, King George VI died following a prolonged illness. Princess Elizabeth immediately acceded to the throne, becoming Queen Elizabeth II and taking on all of the responsibilities which came with her new title. The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. In 2022, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became the first Australian Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of dedicated service to Australia and the Commonwealth. The naming of Queen Elizabeth II Island marks the Monarch’s Platinum Jubilee. |
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Overview
The National Memorials Ordinance 1928 was enacted to establish a framework for the recognition and commemoration of significant individuals and events in Australia through the establishment of memorials. The 1928 Act was designed to address the need for formal recognition of notable figures and events that have contributed to the nation's history and development. The policy objective of the Act is to preserve and honour the memory of individuals who have made significant contributions to Australia and its people. The most recent variation of this Act, Gazette C2022G00218, was enacted by Nola Marino, the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, to rename Aspen Island to Queen Elizabeth II Island. This renaming was done to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70 years of dedicated service to Australia and the Commonwealth. This change was gazetted on 16 March 2022, and the new name became effective upon publication.
Scope and Application
The National Memorials Ordinance 1928 applies to the renaming of geographical locations of national significance, such as islands, to commemorate important figures or events. This ordinance is administered at the Commonwealth level and therefore has jurisdiction over federal territories and any other areas within the scope of Commonwealth authority. The act applies to any determination made by the Minister regarding the renaming of a specific location, in this instance, Aspen Island to Queen Elizabeth II Island. The act provides a process for objections to be raised, which if received within twenty-one days of the notice of renaming published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, will result in the matter being referred to the Canberra National Memorials Committee for further determination. The ordinance does not explicitly state any exclusions or thresholds for renaming, nor does it outline the application of subordinate instruments extending or restricting the application of the act.
Key Provisions
The National Memorials Ordinance 1928 (section 8A(2)) has been amended to rename Aspen Island as Queen Elizabeth II Island. This change is effective from the date of publication in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on the Federal Register of Legislation. The decision to rename the island honours Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, particularly in recognition of her Platinum Jubilee, celebrating 70 years of dedicated service. This renaming is a tribute to her reign, which commenced on 6 February 1952, following the death of King George VI, and was marked by her Coronation on 2 June 1953.
The Act imposes several obligations on parties or entities it governs. Notably, it mandates that any objections to the renaming of the island must be lodged in writing with the Minister within 21 days of the publication of the notice in the Gazette. If such objections are received, the Minister is required to refer the matter to the Canberra National Memorials Committee for further determination. This ensures that the process of renaming is transparent and allows for any community or stakeholder concerns to be formally addressed.
Failure to comply with the requirements or objections outlined in the Act may result in legal consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of the Act could potentially lead to civil or criminal actions depending on the nature and severity of the breach. The Act's provisions are designed to ensure that the renaming process is conducted in a manner that respects the significance of the occasion and the individual being honoured. Any actions taken against those who do not comply with the Act would be determined in accordance with the relevant legal frameworks governing administrative and legislative compliance in Australia.