Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time (Amendment) Ordinance 1981 (CI)

Overview

The Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time (Amendment) Ordinance 1981 was enacted to modify the Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time Ordinance 1980 on Christmas Island. This amendment was made under the authority of the Christmas Island Act 1958 and was enacted by the Governor-General, Zelman Cowen, on 15 October 1981. The primary objective of this ordinance was to address discrepancies and provide flexibility in the definition of the "daylight saving period" on Christmas Island by allowing the Minister to fix these periods through notices published in the Gazette. The enactment of this ordinance by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, reflects a legislative response to the need for adaptable timekeeping regulations tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the Territory of Christmas Island.

Scope and Application

The Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time (Amendment) Ordinance 1981 applies to the territory of Christmas Island and is enacted under the authority of the Christmas Island Act 1958. This ordinance amends the Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time Ordinance 1980 to redefine the term "daylight saving period" as a period determined by the Minister and subsequently published in the Gazette. It applies to all persons and entities within the territorial jurisdiction of Christmas Island, impacting how time is recorded and observed across the island. The ordinance does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but its application is inherently limited to the geographical scope of Christmas Island. The amendment extends the flexibility of setting daylight saving periods through notices published in the Gazette, rather than being bound to a fixed schedule.

Key Provisions

The Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time (Amendment) Ordinance 1981 (section 1) amends the Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time Ordinance 1980. The primary change introduced by this amendment is the redefinition of "daylight saving period" (section 2). Under the amended definition, the term "daylight saving period" now refers to a period that is fixed by the Minister, as announced via a notice published in the Gazette. This represents a shift from whatever definition was previously in place under the original ordinance. This amendment imposes certain obligations on the Minister responsible for the administration of the Territory of Christmas Island. Specifically, the Minister is tasked with the responsibility of determining the specific periods for daylight saving time. This must be done through formal notices published in the Gazette, ensuring that the public is adequately informed of any changes to the daylight saving period (section 2). The Gazette serves as the official government publication, ensuring wide dissemination of these notices. The Ordinance does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches within its text. However, given the context of the amendment, any failure by the Minister to properly notify the public of changes to the daylight saving period via the Gazette could potentially lead to legal challenges or administrative actions. Such challenges may be grounded in the principle of procedural fairness, where there is a requirement for the Minister to follow due process in making and announcing changes to time-related regulations. The exact consequences, including potential penalties, would be determined by the courts or relevant authorities in the event of such a breach.