Overview

The Order of Australia Act 1975, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, was introduced to recognise and reward distinguished Australians and others who have made meritorious achievements and service to Australia. The Act establishes the Order of Australia, a system of honours designed to recognise the contributions of individuals to the nation. It provides a framework for the appointment of Australians to the Order, ensuring that recognition is both merit-based and reflective of the values and achievements that contribute to the nation’s progress and reputation. The policy objective behind the Act is to create a formal and structured method for the recognition of significant contributions by individuals, thereby encouraging excellence and service across various sectors of society. The termination of Rolf Harris’s appointment as an Officer and Member of the Order of Australia, announced in the Gazette on 19 February 2015, highlights the Act’s provision for the review and revocation of honours in response to actions that bring dishonour to the Order. This action underscores the principle that membership in the Order of Australia is contingent upon maintaining the integrity and reputation expected of its members. The decision reflects the Act's commitment to ensuring that the Order remains a symbol of the highest standards of achievement and service to Australia.

Scope and Application

The termination of appointments under the Order of Australia, as notified in the Gazette C2015G00261, applies specifically to individuals who have previously been appointed as Officers or Members in the General Division. This legislation affects Mr Rolf Harris, whose titles and honours conferred by the Order of Australia are hereby revoked. The scope of the Act is limited to the revocation of these specific appointments, without extending to the broader honours system or other recipients. Geographically, this order is issued from the Commonwealth level in Canberra, ACT, indicating its national reach and authority. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds specified in the notification, as the revocation pertains directly to the named individual. The application of this Act is final and conclusive upon the termination of Mr Rolf Harris's appointments, and it does not extend to other individuals or require further subordinate instruments for enforcement.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the legislation (C2015G00261) involve the termination of Mr. Rolf Harris's appointments as an Officer and Member of the Order of Australia in the General Division. Section 1 details the official notification of this termination by the Governor-General. It specifies that the appointments, previously held by Mr. Rolf Harris, are now formally ended. Section 2 identifies Mr. Harris by name, ensuring that the notification is clear and specific. The legal instrument is signed by Mark Fraser, who holds the titles LVO OAM and is the Secretary of the Order of Australia, thereby establishing the authority and legitimacy of the termination. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act are centred around the formal process of terminating an individual's honour within the Order of Australia. This involves an official notification, as specified in Section 1, which must be communicated to the public and the affected individual. The Secretary of the Order of Australia, Mark Fraser, has the duty to ensure that the termination is properly documented and recorded. The process must comply with the internal protocols and procedures established by the Order of Australia, ensuring that the termination is handled with the appropriate level of formality and transparency. Regarding the consequences for breach, the Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with the termination process. However, the formal notification and the authority vested in the Secretary of the Order of Australia suggest that any failure to adhere to the stipulated process could potentially lead to administrative or legal repercussions. While the Act does not specify maximum penalties, the seriousness of the Order of Australia implies that any breach could result in further scrutiny or actions taken by relevant authorities to uphold the integrity of the Order. The termination itself is a significant action, reflecting the importance of the Order and the potential ramifications for those who fail to comply with its processes.