Public Service (Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Appointment 2023

Overview

The Public Service (Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Appointment 2023, enacted under the Public Service Act 1999, addresses the need to appoint a Secretary for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. This notifiable instrument was issued by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The appointment of Professor Adam Fennessy PSM as the Secretary for a term of five years, effective from 18 September 2023, aims to ensure effective leadership and administration within the department. The policy objective is to provide stability and continuity in the department’s leadership, facilitating the implementation of agricultural, fisheries, and forestry policies.

Scope and Application

The Public Service (Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Appointment 2023 is a legislative instrument issued under the Public Service Act 1999. This notifiable instrument applies directly to Professor Adam Fennessy PSM, who is appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for a term of five years commencing on 18 September 2023. The scope of this Act pertains to the appointment and tenure of the Secretary, establishing the parameters of their role within the Commonwealth public service framework. The jurisdictional reach of this legislation is limited to the Commonwealth level, governing the appointment within the federal public service structure. The Act does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and its application is confined to the terms of this particular appointment without extension or restriction through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Public Service (Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Appointment 2023 (F2023N00263) is an instrument under the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth) that appoints Professor Adam Fennessy PSM as the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. This appointment (section 1) is made by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, under the authority of subsection 58(1) of the Public Service Act 1999. The term of this appointment is for a period of five years, commencing on 18 September 2023. The Act imposes certain obligations on Professor Fennessy in his role as Secretary of the Department. These include responsibilities to ensure that the Department is effectively administered in accordance with the Public Service Act 1999, to provide leadership and direction to the Department, and to ensure the efficient and economical use of resources. Additionally, Professor Fennessy is required to uphold the values and principles of the Australian Public Service, including integrity, accountability, and responsiveness. There are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined in the instrument itself for breaches of the obligations imposed by the Act. However, breaches of the Public Service Act 1999 could lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal, as well as potential criminal charges under other legislation, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. The maximum penalties for such breaches would be determined by the relevant provisions of other Acts, such as the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) or the Public Service Act 1999 itself, which may include fines and imprisonment.