PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL
DETERMINATION
I, WILLIAM GEORGE HAYDEN, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, having received the approval of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for the design of the Public Service Medal, and acting under regulations 5 and 6 of the Public Service Medal Regulations, determine as follows:
Medal design
1. The Public Service Medal is a circular nickel-silver medal 38 millimetres in diameter ensigned with a seven-pointed Federation Star in nickel-silver. The obverse bears an inner circle showing four planetary gears spaced equally around a sun gear at its centre and is surrounded by the words “PUBLIC SERVICE”. An outer circle shows 36 upright human figures representing a range of occupations and activities. The reverse bears a wreath of mimosa surrounding the inscription “FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE”.
Medal ribbon
2. The Medal is suspended from a ribbon 32 millimetres wide. The ribbon has 12 alternating stripes of green and gold of varying widths. The widest green stripe appears on the left-hand side and the widest gold stripe appears on the right-hand side. In between are alternating green and gold stripes of varying widths.
Medal dress
3. The Medal is worn on the left breast whenever full size orders, decorations and medals are worn.
Medal Miniature
4. The miniature of the Public Service Medal is a half-size replica of the Medal suspended from a miniature ribbon 16 millimetres wide. The miniature Medal is worn whenever miniatures of orders, decorations and medals are worn.
Lapel badge
5. The lapel badge of the Public Service Medal is a replica of the central device of planetary gears of the Medal 10 millimetres in diameter. The badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress.
Order of Precedence
6. The Medal is worn in accordance with the Australian Order of Precedence of Honours and Awards as approved from time to time by The Sovereign.
Dated 11th November 1991
Original Signed by Bill Hayden
GOVERNOR-GENERAL
Overview
The Public Service Medal Determination 1991 was enacted to provide a formal design and description for the Public Service Medal, an award established to recognise outstanding service within the Australian Public Service. This prerogative instrument was introduced by William George Hayden, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, under the authority granted by regulations 5 and 6 of the Public Service Medal Regulations. The objective of the determination was to ensure the medal’s design and specifications were clearly defined and consistently applied. This piece of legislation aimed to fill the gap by providing a comprehensive and authoritative description of the medal, its ribbon, miniature, lapel badge, and the order of precedence, ensuring it could be appropriately worn and recognised in various settings.
Scope and Application
The Public Service Medal Determination establishes the design and specifications of the Public Service Medal, which is intended to recognise outstanding service within the Australian Public Service. The Act applies to any individual who has been awarded the Public Service Medal as it outlines the precise design, the manner in which the medal and its miniature are to be worn, and the appearance of the lapel badge. The medal is intended to be worn on the left breast when full-sized orders, decorations, and medals are worn, while the miniature is worn whenever miniatures of orders, decorations, and medals are worn. Additionally, the lapel badge, which is a replica of the central device of planetary gears of the medal, can be worn at any time with civilian dress. The Act is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and is governed by the Australian Order of Precedence of Honours and Awards as approved by the Sovereign. The Act does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and it extends its application through the detailed descriptions of the medal's design and manner of wear.
Key Provisions
The legislation, under sections 1 to 6, provides detailed specifications for the design, wear, and order of precedence of the Public Service Medal. Section 1 describes the design of the medal itself, detailing its material, shape, and inscriptions on both the obverse and reverse sides, as well as the seven-pointed Federation Star it bears. Section 2 outlines the characteristics of the ribbon that suspends the medal, including its width and the alternating stripes of green and gold. Section 3 specifies when and how the medal is to be worn, particularly when full-size orders, decorations, and medals are in use. Section 4 details the design and usage of the medal's miniature, while Section 5 describes the lapel badge, including its size and the occasions when it may be worn. Finally, Section 6 establishes the order of precedence for the medal, indicating it should be worn according to the Australian Order of Precedence of Honours and Awards.
The Act imposes specific obligations on those who receive the Public Service Medal, as well as on those who manufacture and distribute the medals and related insignia. Recipients are required to wear the medal and its miniature in accordance with the guidelines provided in the Act. Manufacturers and distributors must adhere to the precise specifications for the medal's design, including dimensions, materials, and inscriptions. Additionally, the Act stipulates that the medal must be worn in a specific manner during official functions and events, ensuring uniformity and respect for the honours system.
Breach of the Act's provisions carries potential consequences, although specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the text. However, it is reasonable to infer that failure to comply with the established guidelines for the design, wear, and order of precedence of the Public Service Medal could lead to disciplinary action or revocation of the medal. While the Act does not explicitly state maximum penalties, such breaches might result in administrative or legal consequences, reflecting the importance of adhering to the honours system's integrity.