Overview

The above notification pertains to the acceptance of the resignation of Dr (Clara) Tuck Meng Soo from the General Division of the Order of Australia, effective from 8 February 2021. The Order of Australia, established in 1975 by the Australian Parliament, is the highest order in the Australian honours system, recognising Australians and others for their service to Australia or humanity at the highest level. Dr Soo's resignation will result in her no longer holding the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia. The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on behalf of the Queen, accepted the resignation, as mandated by the provisions of the Order of Australia Act 1975. This act was introduced to create a system of honours that recognises and rewards significant service and achievement by Australians and others, thereby promoting a sense of national identity and pride.

Scope and Application

The C2021G00154 Order of Australia (Gazette) pertains to the cessation of the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division for Dr (Clara) Tuck Meng Soo, effective from 8 February 2021. This decision applies directly to Dr Soo, a named individual, and marks a formal acknowledgment of the revocation of her previously conferred honour by the Commonwealth of Australia. The geographic reach of this act is limited to the national level, as it pertains to the federal recognition and revocation of an honour within Australia. The application of this act is straightforward and specific to the individual named, without extending to broader categories such as entities, industries, or types of conduct or transactions. The act does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond its application to Dr Soo, and there are no indications that it extends or restricts its application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation, C2021G00154, involve the notification of the acceptance of a resignation as a member of the Order of Australia in the General Division. Specifically, section 1 of the Order of Australia Act 1975 outlines the process for accepting the resignation of a member. Dr (Clara) Tuck Meng Soo's resignation is effective from 8 February 2021, as stated in section 2 of the Act. This notification signifies that Dr Soo will no longer be recognised as a member of the Order of Australia and will cease to have the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia, as per section 3. In accordance with the Order of Australia Act 1975, the Act imposes certain obligations and requirements on the parties involved. The Governor-General, as per section 1, is responsible for accepting the resignation of a member of the Order of Australia. The Official Secretary to the Governor-General and Secretary of the Order of Australia, in this case, Paul Singer MVO, as mentioned in section 4, is tasked with the administrative duties of notifying the public of such resignations. This notification ensures transparency and informs the public of changes in the membership of the Order of Australia. Under the Order of Australia Act 1975, there are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned for the resignation of a member of the Order of Australia. However, the Act ensures that the resignation is processed and notified correctly to maintain the integrity of the Order. The acceptance of a resignation, as per the Act, is a formal process that requires adherence to the stipulated procedures to maintain the prestige and recognition associated with the Order of Australia. The notification itself, as per section 4, is a critical step in ensuring that the public is aware of such changes, thereby upholding the standards and values of the Order.